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Every Distraction while Driving Is a Decision — Your Decision. Designate & Celebrate. $10 Uber Vouchers.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving goes well beyond drunk driving. Drunk driving is the obvious, and most of us know all about that. We know how to drink less, to drink a glass of water after a beer or wine or mixed drink.
Alcohol has a clearly defined legal limit for drivers.
In Rhode Island:
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0.08% BAC is the legal limit for drivers 21 and over
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0.04% BAC for commercial drivers
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Zero tolerance for drivers under 21 (even small amounts can result in charges)
At or above these levels, impairment is presumed by law.
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Alcohol: legal limit exists → measurable → presumed impairment
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Cannabis: no legal limit → impairment-based → behavior and observation matter
Now, a few words about the use of cannabis – marijuana – while driving:
Cannabis Is a Distraction — and an Impairment
Driving after using cannabis is not safe.
Cannabis affects reaction time, attention, coordination, and judgment — all critical skills for driving. Even when a driver feels “fine” or believes they’re driving more carefully, impairment can still be present.
Common effects include:
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Slower reaction times
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Difficulty focusing or tracking moving objects
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Poor lane control and delayed braking
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Altered perception of time and distance
Unlike alcohol, the effects of cannabis can be less predictable, especially with edibles, which may peak well after driving begins.
Legal does not mean safe.
Is Driving While Impaired by Cannabis Illegal?
Yes. Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal, even though recreational marijuana is legal in Rhode Island.
State law treats cannabis impairment the same way it treats alcohol or other drugs: if a substance affects your ability to drive safely, you are breaking the law. Drivers can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DWI) based on cannabis impairment.
How Is Cannabis Impairment Tested?
This is where cannabis differs from alcohol.
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There is no roadside breath test equivalent to a Breathalyzer for marijuana
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THC can remain in the body long after impairment has passed, so blood or urine tests alone don’t prove when someone was impaired
Instead, law enforcement relies on:
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Observed driving behavior (swerving, delayed braking, erratic speed)
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Field sobriety tests
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Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) trained to identify drug impairment
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Blood or urine tests used as supporting evidence
A driver does not need a specific THC level to be charged if impairment is evident.
Edibles are especially risky because their effects may peak later, sometimes while a person is already driving.
If you’ve used cannabis — smoked, vaped, or eaten it — driving is NOT NOW. Wait. Get a ride. Plan ahead.
Distracted Driving: It’s Not Just Phones
Distracted driving includes anything that pulls your eyes, hands, or attention away from the road — including things many drivers don’t think twice about.
That includes:
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Turning around to calm a crying baby
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Reaching into the back seat or leaning down to the floor
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Applying makeup or fixing hair or looking into the mirror to fix something
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Shaving – yes, we’ve seen it
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Eating or drinking
- Smoking, vaping – tobacco or marijuana
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Adjusting GPS, playlists, or climate controls
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Managing pets or loose items
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Emotional distractions — stress, anger, exhaustion, or intense conversations
These moments feel urgent — especially with children in the car — but they are among the most dangerous distractions because they often involve looking away, twisting your body, or using both hands.
At highway speeds, looking away for just five seconds means traveling the length of a football field without truly seeing the road.
Most distractions don’t feel dangerous in the moment.They feel quick. Harmless. Necessary.
A crying baby is hard to ignore.
A smudge of makeup or a stray eyelash feels fixable.
A few seconds seems harmless.
Behind the wheel is not the moment. Pull over or pull into a parking lot, safely, if something truly needs attention.
Prepare before driving. Get what you need where you can easily reach it. Set your GPS before you start up your car. Set the radio or playlist to what you want. If you need to send a text, again, do it before you start your engine. A few seconds taken before your drive – could save your life – the lives of those riding with you – and the lives of those in the street or in other cars.
Accept that some things must wait. Because driving – and crashes – don’t wait.
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Sheeley Law Launches “Celebrate New Year’s Eve Safely Campaign” with Free $10 Uber Vouchers for Rides Anywhere in Rhode Island
Sheeley Law, a Rhode Island personal injury and criminal defense law firm, announced its Celebrate New Year’s Eve Safely Campaign, which aims to prevent accidents and DUIs on one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year.
A limited number of $10 vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis by:
The $10 voucher is valid for one ride anywhere in Rhode Island on December 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on January 1st (*see additional terms below).
“New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate and set goals for a fresh start in the year ahead,” said Attorney Ann Sheeley. “An accident or a DUI can ruin those plans in an instant. We want to make it easier for people to make the responsible choice, keep our roads safe, and kick off 2026 on positive and healthy note.”
*Only one $10 voucher allowed per Uber account holder. Vouchers can only be used for rides in Rhode Island. Recipients must have an Uber account to use vouchers. Once a voucher is added to the recipient’s account, the voucher will automatically be applied to the ride during the campaign timeframe, which is from 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2025, to 2:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026. If the recipient spends more than the voucher covers, any overage will be charged to their personal payment method.
About Sheeley Law
Sheeley Law is a results-oriented personal injury, criminal defense and workers’ compensation law firm. Licensed to practice in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the Federal District Court for Rhode Island, Attorney Sheeley is highly regarded as one of the top litigators in the state and has successfully protected, defended and obtained maximum compensation for hundreds of clients throughout the course of her career. Sheeley Law is headquartered in Newport and has offices in Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket & Warwick. For more information or a free consultation, visit sheeleylaw.com, call 401-619-5555 or 866-435-5000, or email asheeley@sheeleylaw.com.
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The RI Police Chiefs Association held a press conference yesterday to stress the importance of safe driving on New Year’s Eve and every day. The following individuals participating in delivering remarks:
- The Honorable Frank Picozzi, Mayor of Warwick
- Director Peter Alviti, RIDOT
- Colonel Michael Correia, Vice President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Barrington Chief of Police
- Commander Andrew Sullivan, Deputy Chief of the Warwick Police Department
- Jillian Young AAA Northeast
- Wesley Pennington, Program Director for MADD RI
- Leo DePaola, Member of the Board, MADD Rhode Island
Traffic Safety Advocates: “Designate and Celebrate”
Rhode Island traffic safety advocates today held a joint news conference today to discuss the dangers of impaired driving and to remind Rhode Islanders to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home when celebrating the New Year’s holiday.
“It’s a joyous time of the year with many parties and get togethers, and as is tradition, we know alcohol will be part of those gatherings,” said Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Jr. “But sadly, those celebrations can take a tragic turn when someone drives impaired. Our message is simple – never get behind the wheel impaired and you see someone attempting to drive when they should not, take action and intervene. Take the keys, drive them home, call a cab or rideshare, whatever you have to do. Making the right decisions can literally save lives.”
Throughout the holiday season, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association has been highlighting police officers from around Rhode Island for their exceptional work on DUI enforcement through the “Holiday Heroes” social media campaign. Colonel Michael Correia, Vice President of RIPCA and Barrington’s Chief of Police, thanked the Holiday Heroes for their commitment to identifying and apprehending impaired drivers, particularly over the holidays.
“We recognize officers who have gone above and beyond in DUI enforcement during our ‘Holiday Heroes’ campaign because their work on our roads is making a real, life-saving difference,” said Colonel Michael Correia, Vice President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Barrington Chief of Police. “The best way we can thank them is to resolve to make better decisions in 2026. When you plan to drink or use cannabis, also make a plan to get home safely.”
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs puts everyone on the road at risk,” said Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations at AAA Northeast.” Make a plan before celebrations begin, whether that’s designating a sober driver or taking a rideshare service or taxi, and help ensure everyone can celebrate the New Year’s holiday safely.”
Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s, MADD Rhode Island is partnering with local and state law enforcement agencies to conduct more than 40 DUI patrols across Rhode Island—each one honoring victims and reminding our communities that impaired driving is never acceptable.
“Impaired driving remains one of the most persistent threats to public safety, killing and injuring people from all walks of life,” said Wesley Pennington, Program Director for MADD Rhode Island. “Today, MADD RI is calling for a united effort to end this crisis once and for all. This is more than a cause—it is a call to action for a future where no family ever has to lose a loved one to this violent crime.”
“On February 16th, 2023, my son, Michael, was struck and killed by an impaired driver, said Leo DePaola, member of MADD RI Board of Directors. “My wife, son, other family members, and friends miss him every day. When holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries come around, especially during Christmas time, we feel the hurt that much more. We deal with his loss each in our own way. This is why I joined MADD to try to make a difference. There is no easy answer, but there is hope. Hope that no one else will have to experience the same sense of loss from this preventable crime.”
Background on impaired driving
The month of December has historically been marked by increased risks and fatalities due to impaired driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in December 2023, the latest year with available data, 1,038 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes. From 2019 to 2023, NHTSA recorded over 4,931 deaths in drunk driving crashes during the month of December alone.
The first offense for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs carries several penalties in Rhode Island:
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Possible jail sentence of up to one year at the ACI.
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Mandatory license suspension from three to eighteen months.
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Mandatory community service from 10 to 60 hours.
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Fines of not less than $100, nor more than $500.
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Fees can easily reach a few thousand dollars.