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Amy Parmenter
Public Affairs Manager, CT
O: (860) 570-4319
C: (860) 965-6161
aparmenter@AAA-AlliedGroup.com

Connecticut lawmakers today will be considering a measure that would set a legal limit for marijuana similar to the BAC limit for alcohol. But, AAA is set to testify AGAINST the bill because, they say, unlike alcohol, there is no way to measure how impaired a driver who has used marijuana might be, simply by testing the blood.
 
“It’s understandable that lawmakers would want to address traffic safety concerns by setting a legal limit for marijuana as we have for alcohol.  Unfortunately, it just can’t be done” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in greater Hartford. “This is just one of the many complexities that make the legalization of recreational marijuana a concern for law enforcement and traffic safety advocates across the state”.
 
At a Public Hearing today before the Judiciary Committee, AAA is set to testify against HB 7289, which seeks to establish the so-called ‘per se’ standard - and also against SB 11, another measure in favor of the legalization of recreational marijuana.  (Testimony is attached)
 
A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety evaluated data from drivers who had been arrested for driving under the influence of cannabis and found ‘per se’ standards to be a ‘meaningless tool’ in determining impairment.
 
 “This means that in those states where the arbitrary ‘per se’ threshold has been established, some drivers who are not impaired will be arrested and some who are impaired will be free to drive off” Parmenter says.
 
AAA opposes the legalization of recreational marijuana because of traffic safety concerns.  A recent AAA Foundation study found that fatal crashes involving drivers who had recently used marijuana doubled in Washington State the year after the drug was legalized.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @AAAHartfordNews

CT Mailing Address:
815 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06119

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.

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TEDx Wilmington Salon

Who's in the Driver's Seat? The Transformation of Transportation

On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, AAA and TEDx Wilmington held the first TEDx Salon dedicated to ideas worth spreading in transportation.

This event had:

  • 12 live talks given by 13 speakers
  • 368 people in attendance at the live event
  • More than 7,500 viewed the event online through Livestream, viewing events, and on the AAA Associate network
  • Online viewers came from all 50 states and approximately 30 countries around the world

View a slideshow from the event

This TEDx WilmingtonSalon was organized in partnership with AAA

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