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The term 420 refers to 4:20 p.m., or the end of the work or school day, and time to smoke some pot to relax and kick back.
When April 20 -- 4/20 -- rolls around, it's a whole day to celebrate.
Although pot is legal in Connecticut, officials with the state Department of Transportation (CTDOT) are joining state and local law enforcement agencies to remind the public about the dangers of driving impaired.
"April 20 is often recognized as an unofficial cannabis celebration, and the public is reminded that impaired driving is illegal and deadly," CTDOT said.
This year, April 20 falls on a Saturday, which means there could potentially be more impaired drivers on the roads, the department said.
The CTDOT wants to remind all drivers:
- Driving High Equals a DUI. It is dangerous and illegal to drive impaired by cannabis or any other drug.
- Connecticut's drugged driving law does not depend on a specific level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance most responsible for the effects of cannabis, in a driver's blood.
- Connecticut law states that a person operating a vehicle commits the crime of DUI "while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both."
In 2022, there were 2,920 impaired driving crashes in the state, according to the Crash Data Repository.
"It's simple: don't drive while impaired regardless of the substance," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "It was dangerous and against the law prior to the legalization of recreational cannabis, and it's dangerous and against the law today,"
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