To help keep drug-impaired drivers off the streets during the holiday season, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with the Searcy County Sheriff's Department to spread the message that impaired driving of any kind - drugged or drunk - is dangerous and illegal. With more people on the roads traveling to holiday festivities and vacations, there is a higher occasion for impaired driving crashes. Please help us spread this lifesaving message and remove drug-impaired drivers from our nation's highways: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

  Like drunk driving, nationally, it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs - no exceptions. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, drug-impaired driving poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers, and other road users. NHTSA is working closely with the Searcy County Sheriff's Department to spread the word about the dangers of drug-impaired driving and to remind all drivers: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. If you are under the influence of any impairing substance, hand the keys to a sober friend instead of driving yourself.

  "The holidays are a joyous time for our community," said Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce. "We want to make sure everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. Driving under the influence of any impairing substance is deadly and illegal. No family should be robbed of their loved ones during this special time of year," he said.

  According to NHTSA, between 2008 and 2017, of those drivers killed in crashes and tested for marijuana, marijuana presence had nearly doubled. In 2017 alone, 45% of drivers who were killed in crashes, and tested for drugs, tested positive. This is why it's so important we spread this lifesaving message: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. It doesn't matter what term you use: If a person is feeling a little high, buzzed, stoned, wasted, or drunk, he or she is impaired and should not get behind the wheel. Think driving while high won't affect you? You're wrong. It has been proven that THC in marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.

  "When it comes to marijuana use, especially, the laws are changing across the country, but that doesn't change the fact that it is an impairing substance, and any impairment is dangerous and illegal when you're behind the wheel of a vehicle," said Pierce. "We are asking drivers to please make good decisions during the long holiday and commit to sober driving."

  Options to Get Home Safely - If you're planning to head out for a holiday festivity, make sure you plan for a safe ride home. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a safe night out.

  If you have ingested an impairing substance such as marijuana, alcohol, or any form of drug, legal or illegal, do not drive. Passengers should never ride with an impaired driver. If you think a driver may be impaired, do not get in the car.

  If you are drug-impaired, pass the keys to a sober driver who can safely drive you to your destination. Like drunk driving, it is essential that drug-impaired drivers refrain from driving a vehicle. It is never okay to drive while impaired by any substance.

  Do you have a friend who is about to drive while impaired by drugs? Take the keys away and arrange to get them home safely. Don't worry about offending someone - they'll thank you later.

  If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact the sheriff's department at 870-448-2340.

  "By working together, we can save lives and help keep America's roadways safe. Please join us in sharing the lifesaving message If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/if-you-feel-different-you-drive-different." Pierce added.