6 Things You Need to Know About Marijuana Use and Driving

There are many arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana. Some groups believe that the substance is fine for medical use, but they think it should not be legalized due to possible danger on the roadways. Many people feel that alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana when driving, which is why they are opposed to strict laws being put into place regarding its consumption. Today’s article will discuss six facts about marijuana users and the operation of a motor vehicle that may surprise you.

Marijuana has a lower impact on driving ability than alcohol

People who regularly smoke marijuana are less likely to be involved in accidents than those who regularly drink alcohol. A study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that blood tests taken from drivers with low levels of THC in their system have no impact on their driving ability. Alcohol, on the other hand, greatly affects a driver’s abilities and greatly increases the risk of serious injury or death on the roadways.

The connection between pot use and increase in DUI cases is inconclusive

The marijuana usage rate in fatal crashes is dropping in states that have legalized medical marijuana use. A study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety compared crash data from three such states (Colorado, Montana, and Washington) with data from neighboring states where marijuana is still considered illegal. They found that legalization did not lead to an increase in pot usage rates among drivers; rather it has led to a decrease in traffic deaths compared to surrounding states. This suggests that legalizing medical marijuana does not put people more at risk on the roads than before its legalization.

With the recent inclusion of Michigan among states that have legalized marijuana, this shouldn’t be a reason for Michiganian recreational pot users to celebrate yet. There are strict DUI and driving with marijuana laws in Michigan that are still in place. It is still illegal to smoke marijuana and drive a vehicle in Michigan, so you better not push your luck yet. However, the growing disparity of car crash data between alcohol and cannabis-induced intoxication may convince lawmakers to loosen cannabis restrictions in the future.

Marijuana users retain impairment awareness better than alcohol users

Marijuana users are more likely to be aware of their impairment than drunk drivers. According to research done by Michael Haney at Columbia University, THC affects the brain differently than alcohol does. Marijuana users are able to realize when they are too impaired to drive safely whereas people who are drunk lack this awareness even if they have consumed a large amount of alcohol. That said, marijuana users are more likely to use designated drivers than alcohol drinkers. A study done by researchers at Columbia University found that 44% of those who regularly drank alcohol said they would consider getting high and driving if there were no legal consequences, whereas 86% of medical marijuana users stated they would only drive sober or make arrangements for a designated driver.

Marijuana DUI statistics are quite low compared to alcohol

Even though marijuana impairs cognition, it is actually safer for drivers to use it rather than drink and drive. This comes from studies that compare DUI statistics in states where medical marijuana is legal with those of their surrounding states without its legality. Many times these numbers show that there were fewer DUIs associated with cannabis usage after legislation was passed legalizing its medicinal use compared with states where it remained illegal.

This suggests that any increased danger from marijuana usage on the roadways is not as significant as it may appear to be.

Marijuana does not cause immediate driving impairment

Unlike alcohol, someone who smokes cannabis will not necessarily become impaired after using it once. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that because the main psychoactive compound in marijuana (THC) attaches itself to fat cells, its effects can last several weeks depending on how heavy a user’s body fat percentage is and how much THC was consumed. This could potentially lead to someone being over the legal limit for marijuana usage even though they haven’t used it in days.

Marijuana causes less severe driving impairment than alcohol

Despite research indicating that THC impairs a driver’s attention, speed control, lane tracking, and reaction time during prolonged exposure to simulated or real driving situations, many people continue to smoke marijuana before driving because they feel that the benefits of using it outweigh its risks. Many people who smoke marijuana admit that it affects their driving abilities, but they feel confident enough to drive under its influence because it has less of an effect on them than alcohol does. Because of this fact, there are fewer accidents caused by those who use cannabis compared with those who drink alcohol illegally and get behind the wheel.

The points provided here do not justify using marijuana in any way. However, they do imply that legalizing medical marijuana can reduce traffic-related fatalities as evidenced by studies that compare DUI statistics before and after legislation is changed to allow medical marijuana usage. Finally, many regular users of cannabis say that they wouldn’t consider driving high, and they would probably avoid consuming it before driving if there were no legal consequences. Nevertheless, abstaining from substance abuse remains the best thing to do if you plan to drive.

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