Don’t take a chance on 4/20: Drive High, Get a DWI

Marijuana laws are changing constantly across the country. One thing that hasn’t changed is the legalities behind impaired driving. Thursday, April 20, 2023, marks the unofficial marijuana “holiday,” and there will likely be an increase in marijuana use.

To help keep drug-impaired drivers off the roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement to spread the message that drug-impaired driving is dangerous and illegal. NHTSA wants to remind all drivers: Drive High, Get a DWI.

“High, stoned, or wasted: It doesn’t matter what term you use. If you are impaired, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle,” said Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “We are asking our community members to use good judgment, obey the law, and make safe choices when driving.”

In 2019, 49% of drivers who were killed in crashes and were tested for drugs, tested positive. This is why it’s so important for people to get the message: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. If you think being high won’t affect your driving, you’re wrong. It has been proven that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.

Those who plan to use marijuana on 4/20 (or any day) should not drive. If you find yourself drug-impaired, don’t drive your vehicle, give your keys to a sober driver or call for a ride that can safely take you home or to your next stop. Remind your friends to never get in the vehicle with an impaired driver. If you have a friend who is about to drive while high, advise them not to drive and help them get to their destination safely — they’ll thank you later. By working together, we can save lives and help keep America’s roadways safe. Please join NHTSA in sharing the lifesaving message, Drive High, Get a DWI. For more information on impaired driving, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/

By Richie Lawry

I struggled as I climbed over the rocks alongside the creek I was following. The trail had been evident initially as I meandered among tall thin trees that weren’t fully leafed out this early spring. When the path became undefined, with only a jumble of rocks visible, I knew I needed to follow the small creek to my destination.

My son-in-law told me about a beautiful waterfall a quarter mile off Highway 215. Because there were no signs marking the trailhead, he had given me instructions on how to find the waterfall. “When traveling on Hwy. 215 past Byrd’s Adventure Center,” he explained, “you will come to a sign with an arrow pointing to the right that says High Bank Canoe Launch. Continue a short way to a small bridge. On the far side of the bridge, there will be a small, unmarked area to the right with enough room for two or three cars to park. After parking, cross over the highway and follow the creek.”

It was a beautiful, warm spring day as we set out to find the waterfall. We quickly found the place to park and the unmarked trail. As we headed upstream, we encountered another stream to our right with a tiny cascade. The path became rougher and steeper, with rocks and boulders directly beside or within the stream. The footing was a bit dicey, especially with my worn-out knees, but I carefully tested each step with my hiking pole as I carefully climbed over the rocks.

Before I could see the waterfall, I could hear the plunging water. At first, I could barely glimpse the falls through the trees, but when the view opened, I saw a double waterfall flowing over a steep bluff, then cascading down the grotto before plunging into a pool below. The side-by-side tumbling waterfalls dropped over 70 feet. I climbed onto a large flat rock in the middle of the stream and spent several minutes enjoying the beauty and tranquility.

Arkansas has many hidden gems, from gorgeous rock formations to scenic overlooks and beautiful forests and rivers. I have been exploring Arkansas’ natural beauty for over 40 years, but