Drugged Driving | Meet the Effects
Meet The Weed Effects
THC is proven to slow reaction time, reduce focus, and temporarily weaken problem solving skills. Consuming THC affects you differently than alcohol, but it impairs driving ability all the same. CDOT’s Meet The Effects Campaign is committed to raising awareness of the dangers of driving high. When someone is high behind the wheel, the chances of a crash are doubled, and the chances of a DUI are even higher. The average cost of a DUI is $13,500 for alcohol and drugs. Keep your high harmless and off the road.
Featured News
Teens wonder, "How do cops know I'm driving high?"
Getting a driver license for the first time is a major milestone, and it means knowing what you can’t do while you’re behind the wheel, like driving high. CDOT is working with driving schools around Colorado, the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other agencies to provide early education and understanding about what happens if you drive after using marijuana.
Driving High versus Driving Drunk
While driving high isn't identical to driving drunk, there are undeniable similarities between the two. Both alcohol and marijuana impact your ability to drive safely. Driving drunk may be more prevalent, but driving high is still dangerous and illegal — and the effects of each substance present major risks on Colorado's roads. In 2023 alone, there were 227 impaired driving deaths in Colorado, representing nearly 32% of all road fatalities in the state.
Is Gen Z Driving High More Than Other Generations?
Generation Z is the first generation of Coloradans who have grown up in a state where recreational cannabis is legal. As this group transitions into adulthood, CDOT is examining how the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z differ from those of previous generations when it comes to driving high.
Meet the Bean
Is it an avocado? A legume? An eggplant? It’s hard to say for sure. What we do know is that this friendly character has become known as “the bean” in traffic safety circles. We can’t tell you where he came from or where he’s been, but we can tell you why he’s here. He’s been very vocal about it. He’s here to tell us about the dangers of driving high.
For more about educating consumers on marijuana-impaired driving, click here.
What is Delta-8 THC, and if I use it, am I safe to drive?
But by some estimates, a significant portion of cannabis consumers nationally use cannabis products not approved for legal sale in Colorado. The products are commonly known as “intoxicating hemp” products, or “Delta-8 THC.”
Dry January: A sobering perspective on safe choices
As January rolls in, so does the tradition of Dry January — a commitment to avoid alcohol for the month. This personal challenge has gained traction over the years, promoting a healthier start to the new year. Many Coloradans partake in Dry January — some of them turning to cannabis as an alternative during this time thanks to the legality in our state.
For more about Dry January and the effects of impairment, click here.
