A recent study conducted over a two-year period by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) brought to light the affects of marijuana on our driving abilities.
After measuring factors such as changing lanes or changing speed, the data showed that indeed "canabis use does impair driving ability..." In fact, even regular marijuana users experienced impairment behind the wheel. Thomas Marcotte, UC San Diego Center for Medial Cannabis Research (CMCR) Co-Director, observed that although regular users have a higher tolerance in regards to getting stoned compared to the more infrequent user, "in the end...they're just as impaired as the other group." He concluded, "If you smoke to a level of highness, you still can be a danger." Marcotte also deduced that driving a few hours after smoking might be the most dangerous time, as marijuana can remain in the system longer than alcohol.
Driving stoned also differs from driving drunk in several ways. For example, drivers under the influence of marijuana tend to drive more cautiously, as they are aware they are high. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol tend to take more risks.
Driving stoned also differs from driving drunk in several ways. For example, drivers under the influence of marijuana tend to drive more cautiously, as they are aware they are high. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol tend to take more risks.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) highlights the most common forms of impairment after marijuana use, including:
While the driver may not show immediate signs of impairment, this false sense of alertness and slow reaction time can cause some really big problems in certain situations, and the data proves it.
According to a 10 Tampa Bay report, marijuana was involved in more than 20% of fatal car accidents in the state of Florida in 2019. A CDC study showed that almost 5% of the US population ages 16 or older reported driving under the influence of marijuana. "The highest prevalence of driving under the influence of marijuana was among persons aged 21-25 years."
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) highlights the most common forms of impairment after marijuana use, including:
- Slower reaction time
- Deficient short-term memory functions
- Reduced hand-eye coordination
- Weakened concentration
- Degenerated perception of time and distance
- False sense of alertness
While the driver may not show immediate signs of impairment, this false sense of alertness and slow reaction time can cause some really big problems in certain situations, and the data proves it.
According to a 10 Tampa Bay report, marijuana was involved in more than 20% of fatal car accidents in the state of Florida in 2019. A CDC study showed that almost 5% of the US population ages 16 or older reported driving under the influence of marijuana. "The highest prevalence of driving under the influence of marijuana was among persons aged 21-25 years."
Alisa Wilkes is a car accident lawyer in Jacksonville, FL. If you have been injured in a car accident, whether or not the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, call Alisa today.