Survey Shows Co-Users of Alcohol and Marijuana Engage in Riskiest Driving

Fifty-five percent of drivers who are co-users of alcohol and cannabis admit to speeding on residential streets as compared to 35% who drink alcohol but refrain from cannabis, according to a new survey. 

Conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the survey of more than 2,700 U.S. drivers indicates motorists who consume both alcohol and marijuana are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road. 

Compared to alcohol-only users, drivers who said they imbibe in both were more likely to say they speed, text, intentionally run red lights, and drive aggressively. 

For example, 52% of co-users said they engage in aggressive driving while only 28% of alcohol-only users admitted to that risky behavior. Co-users were also more likely to intentionally run red lights — with 48% reporting they did so occasionally — as compared to 32% of alcohol-only respondents. 

Finally, 40% of co-users admitted to texting while driving. And nearly half that many of alcohol-only users (21%) admitted to texting behind the wheel. 

AAA experts say the data indicate the alarming effects of alcohol and marijuana use on the choices drivers make. Using the two substances leads to poor decision-making and potentially fatal consequences. 

More than 10,000 people lost their lives due to drunk driving crashes in 2019 alone, according to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). Moreover, a 2021 NHTSA special report notes that 65% of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug.