In this April 20, 2013, file photo, members of a crowd numbering tens of thousands smoke marijuana and listen to live music at the Denver 420 pro-marijuana rally at Civic Center Park in Denver. (Brennan Linsley, The Associated Press)

CDOT bringing slow police chase to 420 Rally in Denver

Two vehicles simulating a slow-speed police chase, with the lead vehicle decorated with a marijuana leaf motif, will circle the rescheduled Denver 420 Rally on Saturday at Civic Center park as part of a driving safety campaign by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The awareness project takes aim at driving while high, and includes informational materials including posters and rolling papers at dispensaries statewide. Nearly one in five DUIs involves marijuana, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

CDOT’s “guerilla marketing tactic” involving the circling vehicles also will feature safety messages about pot use.

Fifty-five percent of marijuana users drove high an average of seven days per month according to a self-reported CDOT survey conducted last year.

The campaign adds to the agency’s broader “Drive High, Get a DUI” push to cut down drug-related crashes and fatalities across the state.

This story was first published on DenverPost.com