• One in eight U.S. adults admits to having driven under the influence of marijuana.
• 76% of the American public believe incidents of driving after consuming marijuana will increase.
• 27% recall a friend or family member driving within two hours of consuming alcohol sometime during the past three months.
• 26% think that driving after recent consumption of marijuana is “not too concerning” or “not at all concerning.”
• 31% of parents and grandparents report discussing the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol “often." While 43% of parents and grandparents surveyed reported “never” broaching the subject of driving high with the next generation.
• There is uncertainty whether it is legal to drive impaired by marijuana:
  • 40% view this as a serious crime,
  • 27% say it is only a minor traffic offense,
  • 4% think it is legal, and 27% are unsure.
  • 41% are unsure or incorrectly believe that people who regularly use marijuana are generally not impaired, making it safe to drive.

The cannabis survey was funded by State Farm^® and General Motors. It measured the American public’s attitudes and knowledge about the impact of marijuana on traffic safety. The report's publication coincides with the 40th Anniversary of MADD's founding on Sept. 5.

Because human error is the cause of the large majority of car crashes, autonomous vehicles (AVs) have the potential to greatly improve safety. In the near future, however, there will continue to be crashes involving AVs as they share the road with vehicles driven by humans.

A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, Preparing for Automated Vehicles: Traffic Safety Issues for States, finds that most AVs for the foreseeable future will share driving responsibility with humans. Drivers will still exert significant control and will be able to change their vehicle’s level of automation, just as drivers today can activate or deactivate cruise control.

Automated vehicles will bring new traffic safety issues to the states. This report suggests how law enforcement and state highway offices should prepare for them.

“Many people are unconvinced of the safety benefits of AVs and unwilling to share the road or to ride in them,” said Ryan Gammelgard, Counsel at State Farm®. “However, research suggests that public enthusiasm and support will grow as people learn more about AVs and are able to experience them first-hand, and if there is objective proof that the technology operates better than humans.”

The report was authored by Dr. Jim Hedlund, a former senior official with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and funded by State Farm.

The full report is available here.

The City of Los Angeles’ Vision Zero initiative has added a new member to its roster: L.A. Rams Pro Bowl punter Johnny Hekker.

Hekker, the Rams, and State Farm are joining with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to help educate fans about Vision Zero, the city’s initiative to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025. Through a PSA campaign with Mayor Eric Garcetti, Hekker will be supporting education efforts about the traffic safety initiative during the NFL season. Vision Zero makes human life the highest value in the City’s road system, and has two goals: a 20% reduction in traffic deaths in 2017 and zero traffic deaths by 2025.

Hekker’s talents in having his punts downed inside the 20-yard line – he set an NFL record with 51 such efforts in 2016 – will help remind Rams fans about the city’s 20 percent Vision Zero goals during games this season. Through a promotional partnership with State Farm, each successful Hekker punt will trigger a reminder to fans both in-stadium and on Rams radio broadcasts to drive safely and take the Vision Zero pledge at visionzero.lacity.org.

In recognition of Hekker’s participation in the program, he will be feted as the city’s first Vision Zero Hero.

“I’m honored that our city has asked me to participate in this program,” Hekker said. “There’s nothing more important than road safety. This is a unique way to remind Angelenos that everyone using the city streets – whether driving, walking or bicycling – should have the chance to get where they need to go safely.”

“We love that Johnny Hekker plays football in Los Angeles and supports our city as our first Vision Zero Hero,” said Seleta Reynolds, LADOT General Manager. “Johnny is helping to reinforce the message that safety is a shared responsibility no matter how you get around Los Angeles. Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take transit, you can be a hero, too.”

“As a leader in auto safety, State Farm has always been committed to the safety of individuals using roadways in any fashion,” says Tom Conley. Senior Vice President at State Farm. “We look forward to working together on this important initiative.”

Vision Zero is a citywide effort to improve traffic safety on streets and intersections with high collision rates. Starting in places with the highest numbers of traffic deaths, the City of Los Angeles is working towards zero traffic deaths by implementing the most attainable common sense solutions and improvements.

For more information about Vision Zero and its traffic safety campaigns, please visit: visionzero.lacity.org/resources.

Choosing the right emoji can be difficult. Deciphering another person’s emoji message can be just as hard. However, followers of @TrooperBob_SCHP receive the message loud and clear: Safety is always #1.

Standing 6’5”, Sgt. Bob Beres of the South Carolina Highway Patrol is a formidable presence, in person and on social media. Armed with a phone and some creativity, he uses emojis to get the message out about safe practices behind the wheel.

South Carolina is no exception to the national trend of increasing numbers of roadway deaths. As of November 29, 2015, 860 people lost their lives on SC highways compared to 733 deaths recorded during the same period of time in 2014.

@TrooperBob_SCHP recently took to Twitter for a Q&A with @JakeStateFarm and @StateFarm. Check it out: