Fatal crashes over double after weed becomes legal

Washington legalized marijuana Dec. 6, 2012

A new study by the state of Washington shows the dangers of driving while under the influence of marijuana. 

According to the study, the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes who recently used marijuana more than doubled from eight to 17 percent between 2013 and 2014.

Washington legalized recreational marijuana use Dec. 6, 2012.

One in six drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2014 had recently used marijuana, which is the most recent data available.

“The significant increase in fatal crashes involving marijuana is alarming,” President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Peter Kissinger said. “Washington serves as an eye-opening case study for what other states may experience with road safety after legalizing the drug.”

Wisconsin AAA’s Nick Jarmuz worries about those numbers coming to the badger state, because of laws that haven’t caught up with the legalization.

“Trying to establish a per-sey limit is very difficult when it comes to marijuana,” Jarmuz said. “We recommend that they practice a policy of looking for anyone who’s giving off visible signs of impairment and, if they have THC in their system, that should be counted as an impaired-driving offense.”

And, since you can’t test for marijuana in a person’s system on scene, training is essential. According to Jarmuz, Wisconsin does have that drug recognition enforcement (DRE) officer training. 

“Wisconsin actually has a fairly extensive DRE program,” Jarmuz said. “Really, one of the best in the country.”

Four states have legalized recreational use marijuana and several others have legalized the drug for medicinal purposes.

Minnesota has medicinal marijuana legalized. In Wisconsin, legislation has been made to legalize marijuana but, so far, nothing has become law.