As of July 1st, the state of Connecticut has passed legislation which makes marijuana legal in the state for adults over 21 years of age. While there are many implications of the new law, studies show that it may have an effect on the levels of Connecticut auto accidents that are the result of drugged driving.
According to studies conducted by the Insurance Institute Of Highway Safety (IIHS) and one conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) crash rates in states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana spiked. States including California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington were a part of the study.
The studies do not conclusively indicate that the crash spike is directly related to the use of recreational marijuana, in fact, the results indicated that drivers who were under the influence of marijuana were no more likely to be in an accident then those who were not under the influence.
Connecticut has joined more than a third of U.S. states in the legalization of marijuana which has led to a significant increase in tax revenues. The legalization of recreational marijuana use is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans as 68% of those polled said that they supported the change.
The IIHS is warning that there is a clear indication that with those states that have legalized the use of the drug, the impact on car crashes is significant. Legalization has also seen a spike in the use of the drug as usage has gone from 6% to 12% since 2008.
While it remains to be seen here whether the legalization of marijuana will lead to higher incidents of Connecticut auto accidents there is mounting evidence that recreational marijuana use does spike accidents.
If you are involved in an accident in which one of the drivers was under the influence of marijuana you may need an attorney to help you review your case. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work to ensure your long-term interests are protected.
