Marijuana-impaired driving on the rise in Ohio

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COLUMBUS — Nearly 70 percent of Americans think it’s unlikely a driver will get caught by police for driving while high on marijuana, according to a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey. An alarming finding shows that an estimated 14.8 million drivers report getting behind the wheel within one hour after using marijuana in the past 30 days. The impairing effects of marijuana are usually experienced within the first one to four hours after using the drug. And marijuana users who drive high are up to twice as likely to be involved in a crash.

“Marijuana can significantly alter reaction times and impair a driver’s judgement. Yet, many drivers don’t consider marijuana-impaired driving as risky as other behaviors like driving drunk or talking on the phone while driving,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “It is important for everyone to understand that driving after recently using marijuana can put themselves and others at risk.”

In the AAA Foundation survey, 7 percent of Americans reported they approved of driving after recently using marijuana – more than other dangerous behaviors like alcohol-impaired driving (1.6 percent), drowsy driving (1.7 percent), and prescription drug-impaired driving (3 percent). Other survey findings show that:

Millennials (nearly 14 percent) are most likely to report driving within one hour after using marijuana in the past 30 days, followed by Generation Z (10 percent).

Men (8 percent) are more likely than women (5 percent) to report driving shortly after using marijuana in the past 30 days.

“It’s time to face the facts. Any driver who gets behind the wheel high can be arrested and prosecuted,” said Jake Nelson, AAA director of Traffic Safety and Advocacy. “Law enforcement officials are getting more sophisticated in their methods for identifying marijuana-impaired drivers and the consequences are not worth the risk.”

Combatting Impaired Driving, Nationwide and in Ohio:

Programs like Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and the 50-State Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program were developed to train law enforcement officers around the country to more effectively recognize drug-impaired driving.

There are currently more than 87,000 ARIDE and 8,300 DECP trained officers patrolling U.S. roads. Since 2010, the State of Ohio has trained more than 8,000 law enforcement officers in ARIDE. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has trained all sergeants and troopers in ARIDE.

Nationwide, the number of trained Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) has increased by 30 percent since 2013. During that time Ohio has seen a 65 percent increase in the number of trained DREs, and now has 220 DRE trained officers assigned to 89 different agencies.

These officers report that marijuana is the most frequently identified drug category nationwide. That is also true in Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says based on laboratory analysis, marijuana is the most frequently detected substance in drivers arrested for OVI. Nationwide, the number of drivers arrested by DREs for using marijuana has increased by 20 percent.

AAA recommends all motorists avoid driving while impaired by marijuana or any other drug (including alcohol) to avoid arrest and keep the roads safe. Just because a drug is legal does not mean it is safe to use while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who get behind the wheel while impaired put themselves and others at risk.

Survey Background:

The new survey results are part of the AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, which identifies attitudes and behaviors related to traffic safety. The survey data are from a sample of 2,582 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days. The AAA Foundation issued its first Traffic Safety Culture Index in 2008, and the latest report is online at www.AAAFoundation.org.

Man driving and smoking joint
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/06/web1_68a02f72f9a747c5a64cabbc6232970f.jpgMan driving and smoking joint

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