BISMARCK — Monday, April 20, is known as 4/20, and the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and Vision Zero are reminding drivers that impairment is impairment, no matter the substance. The date is widely associated with marijuana use, making it an important time to raise awareness about the risks of drug-impaired driving.

According to Vision Zero information, this year, Vision Zero is reinforcing that message with a new series of short videos designed to challenge common misconceptions about drug-impaired driving. The videos highlight how substances like marijuana can impact judgement, reaction time and overall driving ability. The videos reinforce a simple message: driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is both dangerous and illegal.

“Many drivers underestimate how marijuana can affect their ability to drive safely,” said Kelly Aberle, NDDOT impaired driving program manager. “These videos were developed with input from law enforcement and Drug Recognition Experts to address common beliefs we continue to hear and reinforce that impairment is impairment, regardless of the source.”

One video highlights that even with a medical marijuana card, it is illegal to drive under the influence. Others focus on the prevalence of drug-impaired driving in North Dakota and the specialized training officers receive to detect impairment.

According to results from the North Dakota roadside Oral Fluid Pilot Project study, marijuana (THC) was present in more than half (51%) of samples collected from January 2022 through July 2023. The data underscores that drug-impaired driving is a real and ongoing issue on North Dakota roads.

Currently, N.D. has 69 certified Drug Recognition Experts statewide. These officers are trained to detect drug impairment and help remove impaired drivers from the road.

Anyone using any impairing substance should make sure to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare app. Encourage others to do the same, and if anyone sees someone attempting to drive impaired, speak up.

The video series is part of North Dakota’s Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries statewide