Marijuana most common drug found in drivers involved in fatal Massachusetts crashes

Boston Herald 14 August 2019
Family First Comment: Cannabis was found in 175 — 31% — of the 572 drivers involved in fatal crashes from 2013 to 2017, according to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. AAA has been warning of the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis since Massachusetts voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016.

Marijuana was the most prevalent drug found in drivers involved in fatal Massachusetts crashes from 2013 to 2017, according to the Baker administration, which launched an impaired-driving campaign Wednesday targeted at young men.

“People may think they can drive safely using cannabis, alcohol or other drugs,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “but the research just doesn’t support it.”

Cannabis was found in 175 — 31% — of the 572 drivers involved in fatal crashes from 2013 to 2017, according to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Benzodiazepine was found in 49 drivers, fentanyl in 44, cocaine in 36, morphine in 25, buprenorphine in 20, and oxycodone and benzoylecgonine in 18 each.

The campaign’s announcement does not address how long marijuana can remain in a person’s system, a period that can range from up to 36 hours in blood to up to 90 days in hair, according to American Addiction Centers.

The number of drivers involved in a fatal crash who were both alcohol-impaired and had drugs in their system increased by 63%, from 35 to 57, over the five-year period, and 78% of impaired drivers in fatal crashes were men.

“The height of the summer travel season is an opportunity for us to remind motorists about the dangers of impaired driving,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. “Research and data show that many people do not understand or believe the link between using marijuana and impaired driving, so this campaign is designed specifically to address these myths.”
READ MORE: https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/14/marijuana-most-common-drug-found-in-drivers-involved-in-fatal-massachusetts-crashes/

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