Marijuana Cigarettes Increases The Risk Of Fatal Crashes

Driving under the influence of marijuana cigarette almost doubles the risk of a fatal road crash a study published online by the British Medical Journal finds. However, a significant share of alcohol content fatal crashes is lower.

France took part in work that is associated with a fatal crash in October 2001 and September 2003 among 10,748 drivers were involved. Drug and alcohol testing mandatory for all drivers were applied.

Total of 681 drivers positive marijuana (7%) and 285 in 2096 (including 2.9% alcohol (21.4%), for) tested. Men more often than women, and also crashes more often positive for both marijuana cigarette and alcohol were the young drivers were involved and moped and motorcycle users.

Risk for fatal crash increased as the blood concentration of marijuana increased (known as a dose effect) to be responsible. Increase in concentrations of 1.9 ng 0-1 Oran / 3.1 ml or 5 ng / ml. These effects of alcohol and other factors will be adjusted, nor was important was adjustable.

These results are causal relationship between marijuana cigarette and crashes, which the authors rely.

In the case of the prevalence of marijuana cigarette in the driving population (2.9%) of this alcohol (2.7%) similar to or above 0.5 g / l show, they add. However, France, the share of fatal crashes associated with significantly more alcohol (2.5% alcohol content 29%) compared with low.