Several new research studies show that the rate of car accidents has increased in states that have legalized recreational marijuana. A recent study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that Oregon, Washington, and Colorado experienced a combined 5.2% increase in the number of police reported car crashes since the legalization of recreational marijuana in those three states.
A separate study done by the Highway Loss Data Institute shows that automobile insurance collision claims are up a combined 6% in Oregon, Washington and Colorado when compared with similar neighboring states where recreational marijuana is illegal.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal in all 50 states as well as Washington D.C. and statistical evidence is growing that legalization of recreational marijuana is increasing the number of car crashes – overall making our public roadways less safe. Unfortunately, Oregon residents have repeatedly seen, first-hand, the dangerous scenario of marijuana-impaired driving play out in our communities. If you, or a loved one, have been in a car accident with a driver under the influence of any substance, including marijuana, we can help you hold the impaired driver accountable and keep our community safer.
Sources:
- https://m.iihs.org/mobile/news/mobilenews/crashes-rise-in-first-states-to-begin-legalized-retail-sales-of-recreational-marijuana
- https://www.kptv.com/states-that-legalized-recreational-weed-see-increase-in-car-accidents/article_11b8c7dd-4c88-551a-ad59-b802bddfac57.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
