Cape Coral Police will be out in force this weekend to detect and apprehend impaired drivers.
The traffic operation is titled “Operation 4/20” after April 20, which is the day widely known for cannabis users and enthusiasts as a day to celebrate by using the substance. Cannabis is legalized either medicinally or for recreational purposes in many states, BUT, it is still against the law in all 50 states to drive under the influence of cannabis.
In 2016, drug-impaired drivers caused 934 crashes, killing 440 people, including themselves, their passengers, and others on Florida roads.
But, officers are not going to be looking just for cannabis impaired drivers. They will be looking for impaired driving on any substance, including alcohol.
It is imperative to understand that just because you may be prescribed a drug doesn’t mean it cannot cause impairment or you can’t get arrested for DUI. When taking any prescribed medication, you should pay very close attention to the side effects included on the label of the bottle: “May Cause Drowsiness, alcohol may intensify this effect, use care before operating a vehicle or dangerous machinery.”
- “Drive Baked, Get Busted”
- “Drive High, Get a DUI”
- “Don’t Drive On Grass”
Plan ahead by setting up your transportation. Use a sober designated driver, use alternate transportation like Uber, Lyft, taxis, public transportation, etc. DO NOT drive impaired.
