How We Can Help

• Car Accidents
• Nursing Home Injury
• Medical Malpractice
• Child Injuries

Marijuana Use May Double the Risk of Accidents for Drivers

Drivers who test positive for marijuana or who report using marijuana are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes, a new study shows.

While marijuana is the most commonly detected non-alcohol drug in drivers, its role in causing crashes has remained in question. So researchers at Columbia University did a meta-analysis of nine epidemiologic studies to examine the link between marijuana use by drivers and risk of a car accident.

Over 10 million people age 12 or older are estimated to have driven under the influence of illicit drugs in 2008, according to a 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

According to the researchers, 8 of 9 studies found that drivers who use marijuana are significantly more likely to be involved in crashes than drivers who do not. Only one small case-control study conducted in Thailand, where the prevalence of marijuana use is far lower than reported elsewhere, was the exception.

The analysis indicates that 28 percent of driver fatalities and more than 11 percent of the general driver population tested positive for non-alcohol drugs, with marijuana being the most commonly detected substance.

The researchers also found evidence that crash risk increases with the concentration of marijuana-produced compounds in the urine and the frequency of self-reported marijuana use.

Dr. Guohua Li, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, and senior author points out that although this analysis provides compelling evidence for an association between marijuana use and crash risk, one should be cautious in inferring causality from these epidemiologic data alone.

However, “if the crash risk associated with marijuana is confirmed by further research, this is likely to have major implications for driving safety and public policy. It also would play a critical role in informing policy on the use of medical marijuana.”

“Given the ongoing epidemic of drug-impaired driving and the increased permissibility and accessibility of marijuana for medical use in the U.S., it is urgent that we better understand the role of marijuana in causing car accidents.”

For more on traffic safety issues, see the library of articles by Daytona Beach car accident attorney.



Learn more about finding and hiring a good lawyer.
Order your FREE BOOK today.

Get more information on car accidents in our firm's car accident library.
Florida Uninsured Drivers
Do you have a Partial Fault Claim?
Florida No-Fault Insurance
Negotiating With The Insurance Company

Contact Zimmet & Quarles for your FREE BOOK.

Your Questions Answered