Now that recreational marijuana is legal in the state, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) wants to remind drivers they should not be high behind the wheel.
The NMDOT is launching a new campaign reminding drivers that any kind of impairment, whether by drugs or alcohol, is illegal.
“Impairment is impairment; it doesn’t matter whether it’s alcohol or cannabis, driving while intoxicated on any substance is dangerous and illegal,” Transportation Secretary Mike Sandoval told KRQE. “If you are impaired and driving erratically or unsafely, you could be arrested for DWI. The law is the same.”
Officers are trained to look for signs of impairment rather than relying solely on recognizing the smell of cannabis. Field sobriety tests may be administered, according to KRQE.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Governors Highway Safety Association issued reports indicating that drugs were present in 43% of drivers with a known test result who were fatally injured. KRQE pointed to a University of New Mexico survey that showed crashes involving only drug use have increased over the last 10 years.
The NMDOT is trying to raise awareness with a new logo with green and black lowercase letters over the yellow and black ENDWI brand. The department is also launching TV, radio, and social media ads as part of the new campaign, according to KRQE.
