Washington Traffic Safety Commission

Summer is a time for parties and picnics in the sun, but don’t let a DUI ruin your fun. Even though Washington legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, it is still illegal and dangerous to drive under the influence of marijuana or alcohol.

“Specifically, we want people to know that marijuana doubles the risk of a fatal crash,” said Darrin Grondel, Traffic Safety Commission director.

“With new retail marijuana stores in the mix, we want to remind the public that prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as illegal and recreational drugs, can impair driving ability,” Grondel said.

That is why between Aug. 15-Sept. 1 extra officers will be on area roads looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs during the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Many of these officers have special training to identify when a driver is under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol. Drivers are encouraged to find alternative transportation or ride with a sober designated driver.

“More people may be using marijuana recreationally, but that should never be mixed with driving,” said Lt. Rob Sharpe, commander of the Washington State Patrol Impaired Driving Section.

Sharpe noted that law enforcement has been arresting drugged drivers for a long time and will continue to identify and arrest drivers who make the poor choice to drive under the influence of marijuana, alcohol or other drugs.

Additionally, law enforcement reminds young drivers that impairment laws are much stricter for anyone under the age of 21. Young drivers who have any marijuana in their system or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 or higher are considered to be driving under the influence and are at risk for arrest. During 2013 in Clallam County, 217 people were charged with DUI.

The Port Angeles and Sequim Police Departments, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol will participate in this Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign with the support of the Clallam County DUI Target Zero Task Force.

All of these extra patrols are part of Target Zero — striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com. Additional information on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission can be found on the website, www.wtsc.wa.gov.