Marijuana Users May Double Car Crash Risks
Canadian researchers who reviewed nine different studies that tracked more than 49,000 people involved in traffic accidents concluded that marijuana users were twice as likely to cause an accident than sober drivers. The risk was particularly elevated when people used cannabis a few hours before driving.
According to the analysis, which was published in the BMJ Journal, cannabis use is on the rise, with between .3% and 7.4% of drivers testing positive for the drug from roadside surveys in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and the United States.
The research only took into account studies where serious injuries and deaths resulted from marijuana use and driving and didn’t take into account the impact that consumption might have on minor collisions. It also concluded that usage plays a more significant role in fatal collisions than in non-fatal crashes. Drivers with a higher level of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their system were more likely to have been involved in a fatal collision.
Although it’s currently unknown if roadside drug tests actually inhibit impaired driving, some experts call into question whether educational efforts alone would do enough to curb the consumption of marijuana and driving; implying that the fear of consequences might play a more vital role in prevention.
If a death or serious injury results from an accident in Florida, a chemical test is mandatory.
Impaired drivers on Florida’s roads are a danger to themselves and to you. If you have suffered an injury due to an impaired driver, call the experienced and knowledgeable auto accident attorneys in Jacksonville at Farah & Farah at (800) 533-3555. Our firm is here to protect you.
Sources:http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/health/article/240904/10/Marijuana-Users-Twice-as-Likely-to-Cause-Car-crashes;http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e536; http://norml.org/legal/item/florida-drugged-driving?category_id=836
