Demographic and policy-based differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use: an analysis of the 2013-2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index

ObjectiveMarijuana policies in the United States have become more permissive, motivating research on demographic and policy-based differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use. The Traffic Safety Culture Index is an annual survey with national scope and multiple measures relevant to driving after marijuana use. We tabulated responses to questions about driving after marijuana use from the Traffic Safety Culture Index based on demographic factors, recreational and medical marijuana policies, and per-se marijuana laws.ResultsMale, younger, lower-income, and lower-education respondents self-reported driving after marijuana use more than their demographic counterparts, more often reported such behavior to be personally acceptable, and exhibited lower support per-se laws. Drivers in states that legalized medical marijuana self-reported driving after marijuana use slightly more than drivers in states where both medical and recreational were illegal. Support for per-se laws was higher among those in states that legalized recreational marijuana and in states with per-se laws. Demographic differences in our outcomes were consistent and cohesive. On the other hand, we found no predominant pattern suggesting that those in states with liberal marijuana policies were more tolerant of driving after marijuana use.

Automated summary

Male, younger, lower-income, and lower-education respondents were more likely to self-report driving after marijuana use compared to their counterparts, viewed this behavior as more acceptable, and had lower support for per-se laws. Drivers in states with legalized medical marijuana reported slightly higher rates of driving after marijuana use compared to states where both medical and recreational were illegal. Support for per-se laws was higher in states with legalized recreational marijuana and per-se laws. There were consistent demographic differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use, but no clear pattern indicating more tolerance in states with liberal marijuana policies.