(WFXR) – After a holiday party, most people will hop in their cars and drive home, however as drinking habits change, experts are warning folks that other substances can make it dangerous to get behind the wheel of a car too.
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“It’s more of a societal or demographic shift, younger people are tending to use alcohol less than they used to, but that is often time being replaced by consumption of other substances like cannabis and so on,” explained Miguel Perez, head of Virginia Tech’s Biomedical Engineering Department. “Just understand what the impairment effects are on you for these substances and avoid them if you’re going to be driving.”
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He adds that law enforcement might not have roadside tests for other substances, but they’re still on the look out.
“Instead of looking for substances, you’re really looking for impaired driving,” said Perez. “The vehicle is being driven quote-on-quote erratically and once they pull somebody over, they can see how they’re looking.”
State Police and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration are encouraging folks to order a rideshare or taxi or pick a designated driver this holiday season…