According to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, people who use both alcohol and marijuana are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road.
Triple-A says they are significantly more likely to speed, text, intentionally run red lights, and drive aggressively than those who don't. They also are far more likely to report driving under the influence of alcohol than those who consume only alcohol and not marijuana.
"These data show 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."
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.
These motorists identified as someone who consumed alcohol and used marijuana in the past 30 days, and in some cases, they may have used both at the same time.
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%)
