Stoned drivers on the rise, even as drunk driving declines: survey

Stoned drivers on the rise, even as drunk driving declines: survey

The survey, conducted by the U.S. Transportation Department, found a huge increase in drivers who were on marijuana in the last few years.

The push for pot legalization may be having some unintended consequences: a growing trend of stoned drivers.

New data from the U.S. Transportation Department indicates that the number of drunk drivers is falling, but the use of illegal drugs among drivers is on the rise, according to a Fox News report.

About 8 percent of drivers during weekend nighttime hours had alcohol in their system, but only 1 percent had a breath-alcohol content higher than 0.08 percent, which is the legal limit in the United States. The compares favorably with 2007, when 30 percent of drivers had at least some alcohol, and a whopping 50 percent back in 1973.

However, there was increase in nighttime weekend drivers who had drugs in their system, increasing from 16.3 percent in 2007 to 20 percent in 2014. Drugs, like alcohol, can severely impair driving abilities.

Marijuana use showed a marked rise, with the number of drivers on pot growing nearly 50 percent.

Also, while marijuana is generally considered a safe drug for the body, it’s not safe for someone taking the wheel. The survey found that pot smokers were more likely to get into an accident because they are more likely to be in high-risk groups, according to the survey.

Drivers with THC in their system, especially at high levels, are three to seven times more likely to be responsible for an accident than drivers that were sober, according to government statistics. Combining marijuana with alcohol is especially bad for drivers.

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