Drug-Impaired Driving: Raises Critical Issues for States

In 2016, 44 percent of drivers in fatal car crashes (with known results) tested positive for drugs, according to the recent report entitled “Drug-Impaired Driving: Marijuana and Opioids Raise Critical Issues for States”by the Governors Highway Safety Association. This is up from 28 percent in 2006. See a graphic from the report below for more information about drugged driving and marijuana and opioids.

Funded by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org), the report found that among drug-tested fatally-injured drivers in 2016, 38% tested positive for some form of marijuana, 16% tested positive for opioids, and 4% tested positive for both marijuana and opioids. The publication also highlights the frequency of poly-drug use, or the use of multiple potentially-impairing substances simultaneously.

Additionally, the report discusses the challenges to addressing drug-impaired driving; outlines data available on drugged driving; details the effects marijuana and opioids have on driving ability and crash risk; and provides recommendations for states to curb drug-impaired driving.

Drug-Impaired Driving: Marijuana and Opioids Raise Critical Issues for States was authored by Dr. Jim Hedlund, a former NHTSA senior official and nationally-recognized issue expert.

Sources: https://www.ghsa.org/resources/DUID18 and www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/drugged-driving–what-you-should-know

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