COLUMBUS – People who use both alcohol and marijuana are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road – they are significantly more likely to speed, text, intentionally run red lights, and drive aggressively than those who don’t, according to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

“The data shows the alarming impact of alcohol and marijuana use on the choices drivers make when they get behind the wheel,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “From choosing to drive while impaired, and speeding, to driving distracted or running red lights, using these two drugs leads to poor decision-making with potentially fatal consequences.”

Research Findings:

The AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index found that drivers who use both marijuana and alcohol were significantly more prone to driving under the influence of alcohol versus those who only drink alcohol but do not use marijuana. They also engage in various other dangerous driving behaviors.

Compared to alcohol-only users, drivers who admitted to using both were more likely to report such behaviors as:

  • Speeding on residential streets (55%) vs. alcohol-only (35%)
  • Aggressive driving (52%) vs. alcohol-only (28%)
  • Intentional red-light running (48%) vs alcohol-only (32%)
  • Texting while driving (40%) vs. alcohol-only (21%)

Unsurprisingly, the study found drivers who neither drink alcohol nor use marijuana were considerably less likely to engage in the sorts of risky driving behaviors examined.*

Impaired Driving:

According to national government data, alcohol and marijuana are the most widely used drugs in the United States – 139.8 million people aged 12 or older reported drinking alcohol in the past month, and 43.5 million reported using marijuana in the past year.  Further normalizing this behavior:

  • 17 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana for recreational use;
  • 19 states, including Ohio, have legalized the drug for medical use;
  • 15 state legislatures are considering medical or adult-use marijuana legalization bills this year.

AAA opposes the legalization of recreational marijuana because of its inherent traffic safety risks and the difficulties in writing legislation that protects the public and treats drivers fairly. AAA is committed to educating the public about the dangers of substance-impaired driving. Through AAA Foundation research, AAA is working to improve understanding of the topic and work collaboratively with safety stakeholders to reduce the impact of substance-impaired driving-related crashes.

“With 4/20 approaching, it’s worth noting that marijuana use can inhibit concentration, slow reaction times, and cloud judgment. Its effects vary by individual, but several studies, including one that AAA released in 2020, have concluded that marijuana use impairs the ability to drive safely,” added Nelson.

Research suggests that users who drive high greatly increase their risk of being involved in a serious crash.

Ohio Impaired Driving Crashes:

Ohio State Highway Patrol data shows crashes involving marijuana and other drugs are on the rise, while those involving alcohol alone have seen a slight decline in the past few years.

  • Last year, crashes involving marijuana jumped more than 29% from the previous year. During the past two years, 2,974 marijuana-related crashes have occurred on Ohio’s roads, killing 407 people.
  • Crashes involving alcohol only dropped nearly 6% in 2020. During the past two years, 17,750 crashes involving alcohol only occurred on Ohio’s roads, killing 355 people.

Crashes involving a mixture of drugs and alcohol are also a concern on Ohio’s roads. Last year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol also recorded an 11% increase in crashes involving both alcohol and drugs. During the past two years, 3,037 crashes involving a mixture of drugs & alcohol have occurred on Ohio’s roads, killing 360 people.