There are fewer alcohol-impaired drivers on U.S. roads than ever before, but the proportion of drivers testing positive for marijuana and other illegal drugs is on the rise, results of the latest National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers indicates. At the same time, an in-depth federal study found no link between marijuana use and driver crash risk after controlling for driver demographic factors and alcohol use.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in February released results of the 2013-14 roadside survey, a nationally representative survey of nighttime weekend drivers. The voluntary, anonymous survey includes data collected from more than 9,000 drivers at a representative sample of 300 roadside sites nationwide. This was the second time that the survey collected information about driver use of illegal and legal drugs in addition to alcohol. Both saliva and blood samples were used to detect drugs, including cannabinoids, stimulants, sedatives, antidepressants and narcotic analgesics. For marijuana, samples were screened for THC and its active metabolite, 11-OH-THC.
The survey found a large increase in the proportion of weekend nighttime drivers testing positive for marijuana or other illegal drugs compared with the 2007 survey, which was the first one to screen for drug use (see "Drinking continues to decline among weekend drivers," Feb. 6, 2010). About 1 in 5 weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for at least one legal or illegal drug, NHTSA reports. Marijuana showed the greatest increase in prevalence among illegal drugs. The percentage of weekend nighttime drivers testing positive for marijuana use increased from 8.6 percent in 2007 to 12.6 percent in 2013-14.
In contrast to the rise in drug use, the roadside survey found a third fewer drivers with alcohol in their system in 2013-14 compared with 2007. About 8.3 percent of weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for alcohol, and about 1.5 percent of drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. The proportion of weekend nighttime drivers at or above 0.08 percent BAC declined 32 percent from 2007 and plunged 80 percent from 1973 when the first roadside survey was conducted.
NHTSA in its research summary notes, "Changes in state policy on marijuana use, including medical and recreational use, may have contributed to an increase in marijuana use by drivers. However, the survey does not permit a state-by-state comparison. The change in use may reflect the emergence of a new trend in the country that warrants monitoring."
10 comments:
In other words, based on the description, pot smokers were 8x (8 times) more than drivers above the 0.08 blood alcohol level.
All impairment is undesirable. Some substances we have clear benchmarks; with others we're giving permission to use previously unlawful items without a clear impairment yardstick. We'll rue the day.
Using pot and booze before driving, now that's a bad combo and DOES impair your ability to drive correctly.
Where's this guy been? They have made changes to the law. NOW, its O.K. to use all the weed you want if the State gets the tax from it. That coupled with the vote encouragement, is the Democratic Plan to KEEP POWER no matter what the cost.
These Dumbocrat rubes NEVER put the pencil to ANYTHING. If the total cost for addiction treatment, police response, court time, and various other expenditures, they would know the satellite cost of this blight on the populous would far out-weigh the receivable tax base. Check out the voting record of Mathi-ASS and I think you'll find he was on board with the DUMBOCRAT majority. Bob Aswell
Marijuana and driving - a bad idea.
Alcohol and driving - a very bad idea.
Alcohol and marijuana and driving - a really, really very bad ides.
use your common sense folks.
Bottom line is that people have always been driving while stoned on Marijuana. Its not on the rise its just that they are now looking more into it than before.
Consider all the police reports that state that a Cop pulled someone over and smelled the odor of burning Marijuana in the car. The police report will list charges of drug possession and often paraphernalia but the person never gets charged for impaired driving.
Its a safe bet that all those times people were busted for getting high in their car that they were going to drive away when they were done smoking their weed.
Now since its becoming decriminalized law enforcement is looking closer at this as a way to make up for lost revenue from the now legal drugs.
In the end the amount of stoned drivers isn't up. Suddenly stoners are not deciding to get high and drive. They have always got high and drove vehicles.
I am not condoning such behavior but I certainly think this is not some new risk that we haven't been exposed to before just because Marijuana is decriminalized in some areas of the country.
I drive stoned everywhere I go. Done so for thirty years. Never had a ticket or an accident. Same with many of my friends. You sheep will believe anything with your ignorance.
Comparing alcohol and marijuana effects????
The difference between the two are worlds apart.
Take a few drinks and watch the road start weaving. Smoke a joint and you see the same thing, in the same reality as everyone else.
No colors, no "trails", no imaginary monsters. No hallucinations and no weird sounds.
You sheeple will believe anything "the authorities" say. And REPEAT it like its gospel.
You haven't had an original thought in years.
You haven't thought for yourself in years....too much work.
Its much easier to be told what to think, huh? That way you can really concentrate on what Judge Judy is doing to the boyfriend who stole his ex's CD's.
Keep cheering.
After midnight drinking and driving should be legal.
You would think after all the money wasted on war on weeds someone could show real proof to the claims big pharma has on weed. News flash. Ain't gonna happen. Now lets look at prescription drugs. It's not rocket surgery. Blowin smoke up your rear and the public loves the.feeling. Smoke 'um if you got um. Driving if you wish, it doesn't matter.
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