Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Drivers View Alcohol as Bigger Safety Threat Than Marijuana

A survey from IIHS finds, however, that motorists living in marijuana-legal states are more likely to perceive the drug as a road safety problem than motorists in other states.

by Staff
December 16, 2016
Drivers View Alcohol as Bigger Safety Threat Than Marijuana

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

2 min to read


Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The majority of American drivers don’t consider marijuana as serious a threat to road safety as alcohol, according to a survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But drivers living in states where recreational marijuana use is legal are more likely to view the drug as a highway safety problem than drivers in other states.

IIHS conducted the phone survey last year between July and October. The results were published in the organization’s most recent newsletter.

Ad Loading...

In states where recreational use of marijuana is legal, 43% of motorists said that driving after consuming marijuana is a problem in their community. In contrast, 28% of motorists in states where recreational use is banned viewed the drug as a driving safety problem locally.

On a national scale, 80% of drivers favored legalizing marijuana for medical use. But just 42% supported legal recreational use by adults 21 years of age and older. Under federal law, marijuana is still a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

Drivers who supported the legalization of recreational use were much less likely to view the drug as a driving safety problem than drivers who opposed such legalization, the survey also found. Drivers in marijuana-legal states were twice as likely to say they had used the drug within the past year.

“The message that alcohol and driving is a dangerous combination is well-entrenched, but marijuana isn’t viewed quite as negatively,” said Angela Eichelberger, a senior research scientist for IIHS and the study’s author. “As more states legalize marijuana use, we anticipate that perceptions about the drug’s effects on driving may shift.”

In November, voters in California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada approved recreational use of marijuana, and medicinal use passed in Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota. Eight states and Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana for all uses, while 20 states have implemented comprehensive medical marijuana programs. Sixteen more states allow limited access to marijuana products, usually extracts. 

More Safety

Ambulance and damaged car at a crash scene on a rainy roadway, illustrating workplace transportation risks and the growing focus on road safety management for fleets.
SafetyJune 16, 2026

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework

Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.

Read More →
Close-up of a Jeep Wrangler front grille and headlight with text noting Stellantis’ recall of 1.3 million Jeep vehicles worldwide over a potential fire risk tied to power steering wiring.
Safetyby StaffJune 10, 2026

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk

Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.

Read More →
Road signs pointing to “Safe” and “Risky” beside a glowing AI network graphic, illustrating the role of artificial intelligence in driver safety, coaching, training, and risk management.
SafetyJune 10, 2026

Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It

AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driver resting in a vehicle seat, illustrating the dangers of fatigue and the importance of driver wellness, rest, and alertness for safe fleet and roadway operations.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyJune 9, 2026

How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety

During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.

Read More →
A blue and red Automotive Fleet graphic calling for nominations for the fleet safety award.
Safetyby Faith HowellJune 4, 2026

Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award

Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.

Read More →
wheel geotab image
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person holding a clipboard and writing on an inspection checklist beside the wheel of a large white vehicle, likely conducting a fleet or safety inspection.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention

Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.

Read More →
A Fleet Forward Conference graphic representing the safety symposium.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 29, 2026

NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference

The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.

Read More →
A person with hands on the steering wheel driving
Safetyby Judie NuskeyMay 15, 2026

The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle

Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Hail covers the windshield and hood of a black vehicle with text overlay about FLASH Weather AI’s new hail prediction model.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting

FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.

Read More →