As marijuana becomes legal in more states (though not New York yet), it’s important to understand the risks of driving after using it. New findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety show that an estimated 14.8 million drivers are getting behind the wheel within one hour of using cannabis. This is dangerous, because marijuana’s impairing effects are usually experienced within the first one to four hours after use. Marijuana users who drive high are up to twice as likely to be involved in a crash. Just because a drug is legal does not mean it is safe to use while or shortly before driving.

“Marijuana can significantly alter reaction time and impair a driver’s judgment. 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.”

A AAA Foundation survey found 7% of Americans reported they approved of driving after recently using marijuana. That’s more than double the percentages that approved of other behaviors such as driving while drowsy, or while impaired by alcohol or prescription drugs.

Nearly 70% of Americans think it is unlikely police will catch a person for driving under the influence of marijuana, according to the AAA Foundation’s research. But impaired driving is illegal no matter whether it’s due to alcohol or other drugs. 

“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.”

AAA recommends all motorists avoid driving while impaired by marijuana or any other drug to keep the roads safe and avoid arrest. 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.

These findings are from AAA’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index. You can learn more about it here.