AAA Northeast, SADD Partner to Prevent Marijuana-Impaired Teen Driving

Posted on April 20, 2022

AAA Northeast and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) have partnered to educate youth on the risks of marijuana-impaired driving as more states legalize recreational marijuana.  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. Pre and post program surveys demonstrate significant attitudinal change; after participating in the Shifting Gears program, 98 percent of teens surveyed agreed that marijuana impairs driver performance, and 95 percent of participants agreed that marijuana affects a driver’s reaction time.

 

“AAA Northeast’s partnership with SADD will provide an evidence-based program to SADD’s student leaders to educate their peers, the first generation of American drivers who will be licensed as states legalize marijuana and the drug is more widely available,” said John Galvin, AAA Northeast’s President, and CEO.

On April 20th (4/20) at 3pm, a web event hosted by SADD will stream on SADD and AAA’s social channels to address marijuana-impaired driving. Speakers include representatives from both organizations as well as Trooper Peter Pollard, a Drug Recognition Expert from Massachusetts State Police. Video Recording of Conversation

“We’re thrilled to join with our longtime partners at AAA Northeast in making this program available to student leaders across the country. 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.

 

Schools and communities interested in learning more about Shifting Gears: The Blunt Truth About Marijuana & Driving, should visit www.AAA.com/ShiftingGears or visit www.SADD.org for information about starting a local chapter.

 

All States
<< Back to Press Releases



Navigation

  • View All Press Releases
  • Archived Press Releases

By Date

  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019

By State

  • All States
  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Rhode Island

By Topic

  • AAA Foundation (3)
  • AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (3)
  • AAA Travel (1)
  • adas (2)
  • Agent of Honor (1)
  • automated vehicle (1)
  • automotive (45)
  • car doctor (3)
  • car maintenance (2)
  • car seats (1)
  • car tips (8)
  • child passenger safety (1)
  • child restraints (1)
  • Christmas (4)
  • cold weather (3)
  • connecticut (35)
  • CPS (1)
  • CPS week (1)
  • crashes (3)
  • daylight saving time (1)
  • deer (2)
  • deer collisions (2)
  • destination (1)
  • destination wedding (1)
  • diamond (5)
  • diamond hotels (1)
  • diamond program (5)
  • diamond rating (5)
  • diamond restaurants (1)
  • distracted (3)
  • distracted driving (4)
  • distracted driving law (1)
  • driving tips (6)
  • drowsy driving (1)
  • five diamond (5)
  • four diamond (5)
  • gas prices (100)
  • hands-free (1)
  • high tech (2)
  • holiday travel (13)
  • hotel (5)
  • hotels (5)
  • impaired driving (5)
  • law (1)
  • marijuana (3)
  • Massachusetts (51)
  • MassDOT (1)
  • memorial day (1)
  • move over (1)
  • new jersey (8)
  • new york (1)
  • preparation (2)
  • restaurant (4)
  • restuarants (5)
  • Rhode Island (46)
  • rv (1)
  • safe driving (2)
  • safety (14)
  • safety tips (12)
  • self driving car (1)
  • slow down move over (1)
  • storm (2)
  • storm prep (1)
  • summer (4)
  • summer driving (1)
  • summer travel (1)
  • technology (5)
  • teen driving (2)
  • thanksgiving (6)
  • travel (71)
  • travel agent (1)
  • Travel Marketplace (1)
  • triptik (3)
  • vacation (1)
  • weather (4)
  • winter (7)
  • winter driving (3)