Marijuana-impaired drivers endanger road users in Las Vegas

Las Vegas car accident attorney

Marijuana has been legal for recreational use in Nevada since 2017. Like all other states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Nevada has had to deal with an upsurge of drivers on the road under the influence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC impairs drivers much the same way alcohol does. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

  • THC significantly impairs judgment
  • Slows reaction time
  • Reduces motor coordination

Nevada lawmakers seek to curb THC-impaired driving

Nevada lawmakers have begun examining issues around marijuana use and roadway safety. The Committee to Conduct an Interim Study of Issues Relating to Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana consists of three members of the Senate and three members of the Assembly.

The committee will examine data from other states that have legalized marijuana and determine if any changes need to be made to the current legal THC limit in Nevada, according to FOX5.

The current THC limit for Nevada drivers is two nanograms of THC. According to doctors, it only takes a small amount of THC to put drivers over that limit.

In 2018, there were 70 crashes reported by the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety that involved drivers with varying degrees of marijuana in their systems. Approximately 22 of those crashes involved drivers who were only under the influence of THC, while the remaining crashes involved drivers with more than one substance in their systems.

Do overall crashes increase in states with legal marijuana?

A recent study conducted by AAA examined a trend in deadly crashes in Washington State, before and after the state legalized marijuana.

From 2008-2012, only 8.8 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes had THC in their systems. From 2013-2017, however, 18 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were under the influence of THC.

State crash data from the NHTSA shows that crash fatalities decreased from 329 in 2016 to 311 in 2017. Traffic fatalities jumped up to 330 in 2018. There is no data indicating whether or not marijuana legalization influenced those numbers, however.

What should I do if I'm hurt in a crash with an impaired driver?

An impaired driver caused a crash that left you with injuries, medical bills, and lost days at work. Remember: you have the right to pursue legal damages.

A Las Vegas car accident attorney at Lasso Injury Law LLC can help you pursue a legal claim and help you get the compensation you need.

Our legal team has aggressively fought for the rights of injured people throughout Las Vegas since 2002. To find out how we can help you, fill out our contact form online or call 702-625-8777.

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