New Video Games At Denver Pot Dispensaries Aren't What They Seem
DENVER (CBS4) - The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers in a unique way that getting behind the wheel while high on marijuana is illegal.
Traditionally 4/20 means big crowds and clouds of pot. But this year, with marijuana legal, CDOT wants to make sure users understand -- "if you drive high, you'll get a DUI."
Part of the campaign includes CDOT-sponsored video games now in 10 Denver dispensaries, including Denver Relief.
"They see it from far away, they think it's just a video game, they walk up to it and get a little surprise message that just kind of alerts them like, 'Hey, reminder … you still can't consume and drive,' " said Andy Betts, Denver Relief general manager.
CDOT says of the drivers who use marijuana in Colorado, 20 percent don't even know they can get a DUI by driving high. Fifty percent of those surveyed say they have driven high. The Colorado State Patrol says in 2014, 12 percent of their DUI's were marijuana related.
"I don't think people really realize that you can become just as impaired, it's just as dangerous, when you drive high verses after consuming a few beers," Sam Cole with CDOT said.
The target audience of the Drive High, Get a DUI campaign is men between the ages of 21 and 34 years old.
At the 4/20 event in downtown Denver, CDOT has also partnered with Yellow Cab and will have Cannabis Quiz Cab driving around.
"When folks get in the cab, they're going to be asked questions about the dangers of marijuana and driving. For each question they get correct they'll get a credit for a future ride," Cole said.
There will also be car that's another interactive tool. It starts to fill up with smoke as if people are getting high on the inside. As the smoke dissipates, CDOT's ultimate message appears.
CDOT has partnered with dispensaries to give out information cards to all the customers who come into dispensaries letting them know about arrests and prosecution and driving and getting high.