I can't wait to see the statistics for Colorado and Washington. Not only for reduced traffic accidents, but for overall crime reduction, tax revenue, and money save by not arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating people for marijuana. It's going to make it pretty hard for politicians in other states to argue against it.

a law-enforcement conference I attended several years ago. A police chief asked the room of police officers to raise their hands if they were ever in a violent incident that they felt endangered their lives while investigating a violent call (shooting, domestic, etc.) whose actions were alcohol related. Almost every hand went up. Then he asked how many were involved in similar situations which were marijuana related. Maybe three hands went up in the audience of over 100 attending.

Notice it was a study done in Germany...not here.

The lead authors are with Montana State University and the University of Colorado-Denver. Their research was published as a "discussion paper" by the IZA, which is an international research center and with which one of the authors is also affiliated.

You are right, though -- these kinds of stats need to be publicized more widely. This particular paper was published back in 2011... it didn't make Time back then (that I know of), but it has now. That gives me hope that the mainstream media just may start covering the entire issue of marijuana legalization in a more honest way than in the past.

Marijuana Users Are Safer Drivers Than Non-Marijuana Users, New Study Shows

A new study released by United States auto insurance quote provider 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com shows that statistically speaking, marijuana users are safer drivers than non-marijuana users.

New York (PRWEB) April 06, 2012

In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.

In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.

In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers.

MORE: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729.htm

and that thread died.

crashing and burning.

if they can tell a driver is stoned, they'll throw the book at them as if they're impaired, whether or not they're driving well. They're working on a road-side test for THC, I think, and I doubt any scientific study is going to get in the way of our runaway police state.

This article is good news, though, thanks for posting it, pretty much as I suspected but it's great to get some data on this.

I'll take a high driver over a drunk driver any day of the week and twice on sunday

and wouldn't want to repeat either experience.

I can't find the link but a so called "expert" spoke to a Utah legislative committee last week about the negative aspects of medical marijuana. The liar went so far as to make the assertion that "marijuana related traffic fatalities had increased dramatically after medical marijuana was legalized" in many states. He offered no facts or statistics to confirm his lies. As near as I can determine, no one questioned or rebutted his stupidity and lies.

...from 5 days ago about a supposed increase in traffic accidents:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4450499

TYY

Basically they found that 11% of drivers in fatal crashes would test positive for THC but they ignored the fact that at least 15% of the adult population would test positive for THC.

Also one of the only areas with an increase in fatal accidents has been among those texting at the wheel. 11 teenagers die every day texting while driving. 300,000 accidents per year now.

Per FLYellowdog's request that I give a heart to someone in memory of her sister, Betsey, I've given it to you. Thanks for posting this piece. I truly believe that we should legalize pot.

out of his ass and look at the facts! But no, he's against marijuana and proud to boast about it.