AAA, SADD Partner to Prevent Marijuana-Impaired Teen Driving

Working with law enforcement and prevention professionals across Ohio

Columbus, Ohio (November 28, 2022) – AAA and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) have partnered to educate youth on the risks of marijuana-impaired driving.

The primary focus of the partnership is the delivery of peer-to-peer education by SADD’s student leaders utilizing a curriculum developed by AAA Northeast called Shifting Gears: The Blunt Truth About Marijuana & Driving. The curriculum, endorsed by Brown University’s School of Public Health, addresses:

.The effects of THC on the developing teenage brain

.Research-based information on increased crash risks for marijuana-impaired drivers

.The physical and cognitive processes affected by marijuana use

The Shifting Gears: The Blunt Truth About Marijuana & Driving program has been delivered to approximately 60,000 high school students throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island and is now being launched in Ohio. Pre- and post-program surveys demonstrate significant attitudinal change; after participating in the Shifting Gears program, 98% of teens surveyed agreed that marijuana impairs driver performance, and 95% of participants agreed that marijuana affects a driver’s reaction time.

Drug impaired driving is a growing problem on Ohio’s roads. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol:

.37% of Ohio traffic fatalities in 2021 involved someone under the influence of drugs

.The most common drug of abuse in fatal crashes was cannabis by an almost 3-1 margin (cannabis 292/amphetamines 104)

.The Ohio State Highway Patrol made more than 18,000 impaired driving arrests in 2021 – every 28 minutes someone was arrested for OVI by a state trooper

“Data and research confirm the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana,” said Kimberly Schwind, director, public affairs for AAA Ohio Auto Club. “This evidence-based program aims to save lives by proactively educating our youth on the risks of marijuana impaired driving.”

“We’re thrilled to join with our longtime partners at AAA in making this program available to student leaders across Ohio. Drug impaired driving is a critical issue, a public health crisis that continues to grow. By empowering our students with the knowledge and resources they need to combat this issue, we will make our roadways safer for all users,” said Rick Birt, SADD president and CEO.