ATRI studies impact of marijuana-impaired car drivers on truckers

Solutions include calls for increased data and education of law enforcement

Posted March 15, 2019

As more states continue to legalize marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes, the likelihood of car drivers operating under the influence of marijuana on the roadways increases.

To understand how marijuana-impaired driving might impact truck drivers, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) published research exploring the issue.

A goal of ATRI’s research was to document methods to identify and deter marijuana-impaired driving. The study recommended:

Increasing data collection on the frequency and impact of marijuana-impaired driving;
Educating and informing the public on the risks of impaired driving;
Equipping law enforcement and the court system to better intercept and prosecute impaired drivers; and
Targeting tax revenue generated from marijuana sales to fund training activities.

The report also calls for developing more drug recognition experts to identify drivers who might be under the influence of marijuana.

J. J. Keller's Everyday Drug & Alcohol Program Management Manual helps you manage a workplace and/or DOT drug and alcohol test, while complying with state and federal requirements.

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