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Drugged Driving Summit Raises Profile of Critical Issue
Statement for attribution to Governors Highway Safety Association Executive Director Jonathan Adkins
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow, March 15 the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) will join national stakeholders for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA)Drugged Driving Summit.
With drugged driving a growing problem across the nation, GHSA is grateful to NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King for organizing this summit and launching the agency’s drug-impaired driving initiative to tackle this issue on a national scale. Drugged driving is a complex problem, and this national leadership is critical as we work toward creative, data-driven solutions.
GHSA members and partners will have a strong presence at tomorrow’s summit. GHSA consultant Dr. James Hedlund, who has authored two GHSA reports on drugged driving, will speak at tomorrow’s event. Additionally, GHSA Member Michael Sandoval, Director of Modal Divisions for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, will participate in a best practices panel to discuss his department’s approach to the issue.
For years, GHSA has worked to combat drugged driving, providing resources for states and communities. In partnership with the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, GHSA provides grants for states to train law enforcement to recognize and remove drug-impaired drivers from the roads. Our Ford Driving Skills for Life program developed a groundbreaking drugged driving suit that re-creates the impairing effects of driving under the influence of drugs. GHSA is developing additional guidance and resources for states in 2018.
Drug-impaired driving is quickly becoming an epidemic, and the nation cannot afford to wait to address it. We look forward to participating in tomorrow’s summit and confronting this challenge collaboratively.
Released on March 14, 2018
Contact: Madison Forker, mforker@ghsa.org
202-789-0942 x 120