2-4-20 aaa study-marijuana use and fatal crashes

A new study shows the number of fatal crashes involving drivers in Washington state who test positive for marijuana has increased since that state legalized the drug.  New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows the percent of drivers, who after a fatal crash, tested positive for THC, has doubled since Washington state legalized marijuana eight years ago.  Wisconsin AAA spokesman Nick Jarmuscz says in the five years before the drug was legal, an estimated 8.8 percent of Washington drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for THC.  That rate rose to 18 percent between 2013 and 2017.  “That doubling really happened very quickly,”  Jarmuscz told WFDL news.  “We actually did  a preliminary version of the study a few years ago.  We saw similar results right away.  Now looking at that further out it does appear that this has become a long term trend.”  Jarmuscz says the increase raises important traffic safety concerns for drivers across the country because recreational marijuana use is now legal in 11 states and Washington D.C.. Marijuana can inhibit concentration, slow reaction times and cloud judgement.  Its effects vary by individual, but a number of studies have concluded that marijuana use impairs the ability to drive safely.