In view of the 2018 legalization of marijuana sales, use and possession which just treated into effect in California it is important to remember that marijuana – not unlike alcohol or many other types of drugs – affects driver’s performance.
There may be nothing wrong with an occasional drink or a puff of marijuana PROVIDED we don’t mix recreation with driving. Recreation is private. Driving is not. The actions of one driver affect many others.
Here are a few sobering statistics – from Mothers Against Drunk Driving – worth keeping in mind as we’re entering the era of legalized marijuana use in California.
The drug showing the greatest increase among drivers from 2007 to 2013/2014 was marijuana (THC). The percentage of THC-positive drivers increased from 8.6 percent in 2007 to 12.6 percent in 2013/2014, a proportional increase of 47 percent.
(NHTSA 2013-2014 Roadside Survey)
Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths.
(NHTSA, 2010)
More than a third of teens mistakenly believe they drive better under the influence of marijuana.
(Liberty Mutual/SADD poll of 1,708 teens in the 11th and 12th grades. Margin of error is +/- 2.16 percentage points.) Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY.
Almost 7% of drivers, mostly under age 35, who were involved in fatal traffic crashes tested positive for THC, the principle ingredient in marijuana.
(NHTSA, 2010)
More than 22% of drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs in blood and/or oral fluid tests.
(NHTSA 2013-2014 Roadside Survey)
Almost half of all drivers who were killed in crashes and tested positive for drugs also had alcohol in their system.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs. 2014.
About 4,000 drivers are killed each year with drugs in their systems. This doesn’t count those who had drugs in their system without test results, or those killed by drivers with drugs in their system.
(NHTSA, 2010)
In fatal crashes in 2014, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (30 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (29 percent) and 35 to 44 (24 percent).
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2014: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.” Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2016.
In 2013, 9.9 million people (3.8% of the population) reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs. This was highest among 18-25 year olds, where 10.6% reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
(SAMHSA’s 2013 NSUDH survey)
In 2016, 10,497 people died in drunk driving crashes – one every 50 minutes – and 290,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2016: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.” Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
In 2014, 10.1 million people reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs. 2014.
Every day in America, another 29 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. That’s one person every 50 minutes.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2016: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.” Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2017.
57% of fatally injured drivers had alcohol and/or other drugs in their system – 17% had both.
(NHTSA, 2010)
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Unfortunately, the legalization of marijuana precedes public awareness of adverse side effects of the drug. California drivers may not appreciate the risk of driving while under the influence of marijuana. The risks and consequences are the same as when driving while drunk.
These issues may be new to us in California, but states that legalized the use of marijuana before us have some experience already. Read about Marijuana DUI
These are restrictions on marijuana use imposed by – and enforced in – Washington State:
https://lcb.wa.gov/mj-education/know-the-law
This is a good place to get info on California’s Cannabis Laws
http://www.canorml.org/california_cannabis_laws
We are going to get our reality check just like Washington drivers did. Let’s hope that Los Angeles drivers will learn from states like Washington, quickly.
Bottom line, no matter what’s your pleasure, there is nothing wrong with a little indulgence. Just as long as your fun doesn’t endanger other California’s drivers.