The State of Connecticut recently passed legislation that enabled the legalization of recreational marijuana use. Since Connecticut is not the first state to do this, there is ample data to be looked at to determine what effect this new law will have in the real world on the rate of Connecticut auto accidents as it goes into effect.
Connecticut was one of nearly 40 states that have legalized the use of marijuana either fully or in a mixed way. A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) of five of these states has revealed some interesting statistics that may be informative as our state faces the reality that drugged driving may become more common.
Here are some of the most important findings from the study;
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6% increase in overall crash rates
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4% increase in fatal crash rates
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0% increase in risk of crash when using marijuana alone
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4% of drivers involved in crashes self-reported driving under the influence of marijuana
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13% of those tested for marijuana use were found to have been under the influence of the drug
Similar studies have been conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) which had surprisingly similar results.
From both studies, one of the main drivers of the increased levels of crash rates is an enthusiasm for the new laws when they were initially implemented which later died down and crash rates returned to pre-legalization levels.
The results of the studies conclude that there still needs to be additional research conducted on the effects of marijuana on drivers. However, there is one thing that all researchers have concluded and that is that drugged driving is a risk to you or a loved one getting into a Connecticut auto accident. It is always safer to drive while not under the influence of any mind-altering substance.
As marijuana starts to be sold recreationally throughout the state of Connecticut and accidents begin to happen you may need an attorney who can help review your case. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work to protect your long-term interests.
