Those who wish to use alcohol or drugs are asked to plan ahead for a safe ride home

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

In the 10 years since cannabis became legally available to all adults 21 and older in the state of  Washington, law enforcement officers have had a crash course on the effects of cannabis and drinking on the driving public.

In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations, Clark County law enforcement officers will have extra patrols, to be in search of drivers under the influence.

In a perfect world, they hope they won’t find any because those who choose to drink alcohol and/or take a hit of marijuana will plan ahead and not drive.

There is no perfect world, however. Which is why Target Zero, the statewide campaign with the mission to have zero traffic deaths on Washington roads and highways by 2030, wants to get word out, to educate drivers of the dangers of over celebrating and then getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

“This weekend is a drinking holiday,” said Det. Bethany Lau of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. “Cannabis is also legal. We see people using it at the same time.”

That causes problems that even well-meaning people do not always understand, Lau said.

A person who might just have a drink or two could often have a blood alcohol content that is below the legal limit. However, if that person also took a hit of marijuana or consumed an edible with cannabis, the combination will lead to impairment, Lau said.

“It does have a synergistic effect. They work together to make each other stronger,” Lau said. “They build off each other.”

It is called polydrug use. In Lau’s example, it is using alcohol and cannabis at the same time. It could also be from alcohol and prescription medications at the same time. Those combinations can be deadly on the highways and roads.

Having a small amount of one — alcohol or drug — would not necessarily make a driver unable to drive legally and safely. But the combination can be deadly.

For many, the combination can make it even more difficult for the user to determine if they are safe to drive.

“They may not realize just how impaired they are,” Lau said. “People are already bad at telling how impaired they are, and when you add cannabis on top of alcohol, it’s even harder for people to tell. Now they are really bad at telling whether or not they are able to drive.”

Still, many people do know when they are planning to use alcohol and/or cannabis before going on for a night. Law enforcement officials are pleading with those partygoers to make safe transportation plans before they consume.

“Schedule your Lyfts, Uber, whatever. If you have a friend willing to be a sober driver, we appreciate that,” Lau said.

She also reminded designated drivers that many businesses offer free non-alcoholic beverages for sober drivers. Take advantage of that deal, Lau said.

St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday this year, which usually means the parties begin on Friday, continue on Saturday, and yes, even into Sunday night.

Local law enforcement agencies, with the support from Target Zero, will be have extra patrols on those nights. 

But Target Zero officials hope that partygoers heed their advice. Plan ahead to have a safe, sober ride home.