Some people like to drive while high on marijuana. Two AAA surveys revealed why they do it
- Jason Beck
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Bill Atkinson
04-15-2025
Eight out of every 10 respondents to a recent AAA survey said they have driven while high on marijuana, and another five out of every 10 said they do not think getting behind the wheel while buzzed is detrimental to their judgment.
Those results were released Tuesday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in an effort to show that many drivers have misconceptions about blazing up or consuming cannabis-infused edibles. The foundation released the findings a few days before “Weed Day” on April 20 – also known as 420 Day – that is commemorated by pot consumers nationwide.
With that in mind, the foundation said in a statement that the study underscores the need to prevent high driving.
“Understanding what motivates cannabis consumers to drive under the influence can be helpful in developing effective safety strategies,” Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, said in the statement. “With insights on perceptions, decision-making, and behavior, we aim to inform policies and interventions that make our roads safer for everyone.”
Thirty-eight states have legalized some form of allowable cannabis consumption. Virginia is among 24 that allow recreational use, while the other 14 permit pot for medicinal purposes.
What the studies found
The AAA Foundation conducted two studies on the topic of buzzed driving. In both studies, the foundation surveyed a total of 2,800 respondents who admit to routine cannabis use.
The first study of 2,000 respondents sought perceptions and rationale for driving under the influence of marijuana. The remaining 800 were asked about what messages should be publicized to deter buzzed driving.
Get the Storm Watch newsletter in your inbox.
Latest news updates during the emergency.
Delivery: Varies
Your Email
In the first study:
44.1% of those surveyed said they consume cannabis multiple times a day.
57.8% indicated that they drive daily.
84.8% admitted they drive the same day that they consume cannabis, and 53% said they got high an hour or less before driving
46.9% believe the use does not alter their driving ability. 19.4% said they thought they drove better, and 14.7% said they felt a slight improvement.
38.6% said they would trust warnings about buzzed driving from either cannabis companies or cannabis industry groups.
In the second study that focused more on messages resonation, respondents identified characteristics in the messages that they felt would be the most engaging:
messages that highlight responsibility and safety concerns rather than legal risks;
messages that avoid “exaggerated” stereotypes about users and address positive, realistic and diverse topics; and
messages should not be of the “one size fits all” type.
“Mistaken beliefs about the impact of cannabis on driving could result in resistance to public education outreach on impaired driving,” Morgan Dean, public affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Virginia, said in the statement. “There is widespread confusion about laws relating to cannabis, the impact cannabis has on driving ability and law enforcement methods. Many consumers are unaware of legal limits or may believe police officers are unable to detect if they are high.”
The AAA study dovetails on a December 2024 survey by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority that showed 22% of Virginia drivers admit to being high behind the wheel, 34% have ridden with a high driver and 46% acknowledging that they do not have an advance plan for a sober ride home.
Mayo nays high driving
Research from the Mayo Clinic indicates that the actual effects of marijuana use are the opposite of what many of the AAA survey respondents believe.
“Marijuana use impairs attention, judgement and coordination,” the clinic writes on its website. “Don't drive or operate machinery when using marijuana.”
Marijuana uses by people with mental-health issues can worsen symptoms, Mayo says. For example, people diagnosed with depression or schizophrenia have seen their conditions deteriorate with regular use.
“Effective messaging about cannabis-impaired driving needs to include credible voices, real-world scenarios, and respectful language,” Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy, said in the statement. “Individuals who consume cannabis come from all walks of life and that should be reflected in the messaging.”
Commentaires