FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2018
Contact: Madison Forker, mforker@ghsa.org
202-789-0942 x120
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.
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To learn more about the summit, visit www.nhtsa.gov/events/drugged-driving-call-action.
More information on drug-impaired driving, including an issue overview, state laws, publications, and information on state activities, can be found on the GHSA website.
About GHSA
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GHSAhq or follow us on Twitter @GHSAHQ.