Impaired Driving

Driving gives you the freedom to go where you want, but it also comes with the responsibility to make safe choices. Alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, other drugs and even drowsiness can all affect your ability to focus, react quickly, and make good decisions behind the wheel. Understanding how impairment affects driving can help you make choices that protect you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.

What Does “Impaired” Really Mean?

Impaired driving isn’t just about being drunk. You are considered impaired anytime a substance affects your ability to drive safely. This includes:

 • Alcohol²
 • Marijuana (cannabis)²
 • Prescription medications²
 • Some cold and allergy medications²
 • Illegal drugs²

The Reality

Even a small amount of alcohol can make driving more dangerous. As a new driver you’re still building experience behind the wheel, so alcohol will slow your reaction time, affect your judgement, and decision making more than quickly than it would for someone with many years of driving experience.

In 2023, 1 in 20 high school students in the U.S. reported driving after drinking alcohol and 1 in 6 students said they rode with a driver who had been drinking.⁹

In 2024 there were 11,904 fatalities in alcohol-impaired driving crashes amongst all ages nationwide.4 Almost 30% of all crashes in New Hampshire involved driver impairment.³

Although alcohol is illegal to drink for youth under the age of 21, it is still a factor in many crashes involving teen drivers. In 2024 the DOT reported that in the U.S., 29% of drivers ages 15-20 who were killed in crashes had alcohol in their system.⁴

Alcohol also puts passengers, friends, and families at risk. In 2024 amongst all drivers in the U.S., 221 children ages 14 and younger lost their lives in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver.⁴

Every 44 Minutes…

Someone in the United States dies in an alcohol impaired crash.⁴

33 Lives Every Day…

That’s how many people are killed by alcohol-impaired driving crashes.⁴

Millions Still Take the Risk.

An estimated 15.5 million people in the U.S. reported driving under the influence of alcohol in one year, while 12 million in the U.S. reported driving after using cannabis and 2.2 million after using illicit drugs.³

The Effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Marijuana and Teens

After alcohol, marijuana is the most common drug linked to impaired driving.⁹ The chemical in marijuana that causes the “high” (THC) can slow reaction time, reduce coordination, and affect judgment. Approximately 1 in 6 teens who use marijuana will become addicted after they start using it.¹¹

Remember Recreational marijuana use is not legal in NH. In other states, it is only legal for those 21+. Just because marijuana is legal in some states doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive after using it.

Every two years, the CDC conducts an anonymous survey amongst high school students on health-risk behaviors. In 2023, this survey concluded that as teens got older, they got behind the wheel after using marijuana or got in a vehicle with a driver who has.

Driving after using marijuana can:
- Slow reaction time
- Make it harder to pay attention to the road
- Cause you to drift between lanes or have trouble staying in your lane
- Reduce coordination and vehicle control
- Make it more difficult to respond to traffic signals, pedestrians and other hazards
- Affect your judgement and decision making

Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness…

Underage use of alcohol, marijuana, and other elicit substances is against the law - it also can impact your health, safety, relationships and future.

If alcohol, marijuana, or other substance use is becoming a problem for you - or you’re worried about a friend - you don’t have to figure it out alone. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Reaching out to a trusted adult, counselor, or supportive person can help you get the support you need.

Whether you are looking for more information, worried about a friend, or ready to make a change help is available in New Hampshire.

Where Can You Get Help?

• 211 NH Call 211 anytime, 24/7, to connect with trained Information and Referral Specialists who can help you find substance use counseling, treatment, and other local services.
  Click here to find more information!
• The Doorway NH A statewide resource that connects New Hampshire residents with substance use support and services, including screening, treatment, prevention, and recovery resources. You can also connect with The Doorway by calling 211.
  Click here to find more information!
• The Center for Excellence on Addiction Provides information, data, and resources to help New Hampshire communities, professionals, and families address substance misuse and its effects.
  Click here to find more information!
• The Partnership @drugfreeNH Offers New Hampshire-specific informtaion and resources for young people, families, schools, and communities, including information about substance use prevention and where to find help.
  Click here to find more information!

If You’re Worried About a Friend

You don’t have to be an expert or know exactly what to say. Start by talking to a trusted adult—a parent or guardian, school counselor, teacher, coach, healthcare provider, or another adult you trust. Let them know what you’re seeing and that you’re concerned.

And remember: if you’re struggling with substance use, getting help is a safer choice than trying to deal with it on your own.

Drowsy Driving

Being tired may not seem like a big deal, but it can have a serious impact on your ability to drive. When you don’t get enough sleep, your reaction time slows, it bcomes harder to focus, and your judgement isn’t as sharp. Just like alcohol or other impairing substances, dowsiness can make driving dangerous and increase your risk of being involved in a crash.¹³

Why are we at greater risk?

• Teens need 8-10 hours of sleep each night, but many don’t get enough because of school, homework, sports, jobs, and social activites.¹⁴
• About 1 in 6 teens report driving while drowsy, durign their first two years of driving.¹⁴
• Teens risk of falling asleep behind the wheel in the morning on their way to schol or during late afternoon, when their body’s natural sleep cycle makes you less alert.¹³

Stay Alert. Stay Safe.
Aim for 8 hours of sleep whenever possible.¹⁴
If you’re struggling to keep your eyes open, don’t drive.¹³
If a friend is too tired to drive, help them find a ride or encourage them to rest before getting behind the wheel.¹³
If you feel too tired to drive, call a parent, trusted adult, or another way to get home.¹³

Ways to Get Home Safely

You’ve made the right decision to not drive impaired⁷, but don’t wait until the end of the night to figure out how you’re getting home. Make a plan before you go out.

CHOOSE A SAFE OPTION:

•  • Designate a sober driver before anyone starts drinking or using drugs.⁷
•  • Use a rideshare or taxi if a sober driver isn’t available. Pick a location that is safe, well lit, and the driver can safely stop.    Always check the driver’s name, photo, and license plate match your app before getting in.⁷
•  • Take public transportation if it’s available, and stay aware of your surroundings.⁷
•  • Call a trusted adult if you need help. It may feel awkward, but it’s always better than risking your safety.
•  • Watch out for one another speak up and make sure everyone has a safe way home.
•  • Stay the night if you don’t have a safe way home.

The Consequences Can Change Your Life or Someone Else’s Forever.