Legalization of marijuana linked to increased trafficcrashes, fatalities JSADJournal
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and DrugsStates that legalized recreational marijuana saw a subsequent increase in traffic crashes and fatalities, according to new research in thedoesn't come without cost," says lead researcher Charles M. Farmer, Ph.D., of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Ruckersville, Va.
Overall, the initial jump in the injury crash rate occurred after legalization but before retail sales began. Traffic crash injuries rose 6.5% after legalization but decreased slightly after retail sales commenced. However, fatal crash rates increased both after legalization and after retail sales were authorized .
The sharper relationship between marijuana legalization and traffic crash injuries, rather than fatalities, may be due to how some drivers compensate when impaired by marijuana. Often, drivers under the influence of marijuana slow down and maintain a larger distance between themselves and other vehicles. Impaired but at lower speeds, drivers may not be able to avoid a crash, but the crashes that occur may be less likely to be deadly.
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