Local law enforcement will be out in force this weekend to remind drivers that “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.”
With Saturday being April, 20, commonly referred to as 4/20 and widely considered as the nation’s “marijuana holiday” the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office will once again be teaming up with US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to increase the presence of law enforcement officials on local roadways keeping a vigilant watch for impaired drivers. A news release from the sheriff’s office states that while marijuana laws are changing frequently across the country, impaired driving is still illegal and could lead to serious injuries to those who choose to get behind the wheel.
In the same news release, Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope states, “We are asking our community members to use good judgment, obey the law, and make safe choices when driving a vehicle. Your decisions don’t just affect you — they affect everyone on the road.”
While some believe that being high does not affect their ability to operate a motor vehicle, the sheriff’s office states it is quite the opposite saying “It has been proven that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.”
If you are planning to use marijuana on 4/20, or any day for that matter, the sheriff’s office asks that you take the same steps you would if you were attending an event where you plan to consume alcohol. Do not drive, hand your keys over to a sober driver, remind friends to not get into a vehicle with someone who is impaired and do not let your friends drive if they are impaired.
Those who are found to be driving under the influence could face fines of up to $2,500, a year of imprisonment and revocation of their driver’s license depending on the number of offenses.
