BYU-Idaho Radio · Aggressive Driving Increases with Alcohol, Marijuana Use
AAA has released new research about the increase in dangerous driving habits when drivers use both alcohol and marijuana. The research stems from interviews with 2,710 U.S. drivers in 2019, so doesn’t include information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
AAA asked drivers for this 2019 Traffic Safety Culture Index about their behaviors from the past 30 days, their driving habits, including whether they had specific aggressive driving habits, and whether they used alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs while driving. According to the research, 53% of respondents did not use any alcohol or marijuana before driving while 38% said they used alcohol, 4% used marijuana and 5% used both.
Table 1. Prevalence of Self-Reported Impaired Driving Behaviors in Relation to Alcohol and Marijuana Use in a Sample of 2,710 U.S. Drivers, Weighted to Represent U.S. Driving Population Ages 16 and Older. Source: AAA Idaho
| No Alcohol or Marijuana Use | Alcohol Use Only | Marijuana Use Only | Both Alcohol and Marijuana Use | |
| Total Respondents | 1,434 | 1,036 | 103 | 137 |
| DUI*—Alcohol | N/A | 14% | N/A | 39% |
| DUI—Marijuana | N/A | N/A | 37% | 52% |
| DUI—Prescription Drugs | 4% | 4% | 14% | 25% |
| Riding w/ intoxicated driver | 5% | 12% | 13% | 37% |
| Drowsy driving | 21% | 25% | 22% | 35% |
Note: Percentages include responses of "a few times," "fairly often," or "regularly."
* DUI refers to self-reported driving under the influence, not being charged with a DUI by law enforcement
The report does not indicate how soon before driving they used the substances, though it does indicate 14% of those who used alcohol said they were driving under the influence. It also says 37% of those who used marijuana indicated they were driving high while 39% and 52% of those who used both alcohol and marijuana said they were driving drunk or high, respectively. This was all self-reporting information.
“We’re seeing people who use the combination of marijuana and alcohol and when they do problems get amplified, bad driving behavior gets intensified,” said Matthew Conde, public and government affairs director for AAA Idaho.
The research specifically asked about reading text messages, typing or sending text messages, speeding on a highway, speeding in residential areas, running a red light, aggressive driving and driving without a seat belt.
Table 2. Prevalence of Self-Reported Risky Driving Behaviors in Relation to Alcohol and Marijuana Use in a Sample of 2,710 U.S. Drivers, Weighted to Represent U.S. Driving Population Ages 16 and Older. Source: AAA Idaho
| No Alcohol or Marijuana Use | Alcohol Use Only | Marijuana Use Only | Both Alcohol and Marijuana Use | |
| Total Respondents | 1,434 | 1,036 | 103 | 137 |
| Read text b | 24% | 30% | 31% | 53% |
| Type/send text b | 16% | 21% | 24% | 40% |
| Speed—highway b | 34% | 43% | 46% | 55% |
| Speed—residential b | 28% | 35% | 46% | 55% |
| Running a red light a | 28% | 32% | 38% | 48% |
| Aggressive driving a | 21% | 28% | 41% | 52% |
| Drive w/o seatbelt b | 11% | 11% | 16% | 18% |
a Percentages include responses of "a few times," "fairly often," or "regularly."
b Percentages include responses of "just once," "a few times," "fairly often," or "regularly."
It’s interesting to note that this is all self-reported behavior. Conde said the survey was specifically designed so people didn’t feel bad about reporting their behaviors and became comfortable being honest.
“We have a really good survey design that allows people to open up and be honest and with that candor, we can at least get a sense of what's going on,” Conde said. “And that becomes sort of our benchmark for how we're doing on awareness, I think we've made some real progress.”
Conde said there is much more to be done for public awareness about the dangers of driving while high and driving after taking prescription medications. However, the research does show most drivers are wearing their seat belts.
“I think people understand more and more that this is the simplest, most effective safety device in your car. It's there for you, available all the time and why not improve your odds,” Conde said.
Conde said the main message he hopes people understand from this research is how dangerous it is to mix substances like alcohol and marijuana and then get behind the wheel of a car. He said it’s important people remember their driving behavior doesn’t just affect themselves, but those around them too.
To read the full research report, click here.