Driving high isn’t safe. And riding with a high driver is never a safe decision. It doesn’t matter if the user is over 21, and it doesn’t matter if they are a “little” high or a lot. Being under the influence of cannabis can nearly double the risk of a crash. Cannabis greatly affects people’s ability to drive safely and its use should never be allowed inside a vehicle.
There are many functions essential to driving that cannabis impairs. This includes task management, attention, processing, and vision. One study found that most drivers under the influence showed slow reaction speeds and riskier driving. It isn’t until three or four hours after smoking that the brain fully returns to sobriety and driving becomes safe.
Despite the dangers of driving high, 55% of users have driven high at least once, 25% have driven high and drunk, and 15% have smoked while driving. This means that legalizing cannabis results in more high driving. States that have legalized cannabis tend to have more fatal car crashes than those that haven’t. The correlation between car crashes and cannabis points toward driving high being a dangerous combination that should always be avoided.
Cannabis use is harmful in itself, especially to underage users. The risk of damage only increases when driving high. If someone you know intends to drive high, it is important to take their keys if possible and never get in the car with them. One decision to ride with an impaired driver has the potential for deadly consequences and is never worth the risk.
Underage Drinking
Cannabis/ Marijuana
Cannabis/ Marijuana
Cannabis/ Marijuana
Cannabis/ Marijuana
Cannabis/ Marijuana
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