In California and many other states with legal cannabis, parents face new challenges in keeping their teens safe behind the wheel. Marijuana-impaired driving poses one of the biggest risks to teens. With their limited driving experience, young drivers are more vulnerable to the effects of marijuana and less prepared to handle its impact on their ability to drive safely. To help raise awareness around this issue, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a guide for parents to protect their teens.
Driving under the influence of marijuana can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Marijuana affects motor coordination, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment of time and distance. While it may be legal to use marijuana, driving while impaired is illegal in California. Unfortunately, many teens don't fully understand the risks of marijuana-impaired driving, which often leads to serious car accidents.
How vulnerable are teens to marijuana-impaired driving?
Teen drivers already face many challenges on the road. They're still learning all the rules, figuring out how to react in split-second situations, and gaining confidence behind the wheel. Adding marijuana to the mix only increases the risk of disaster. In 2022, more than 3,600 teens were involved in crashes that resulted in fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these crashes were preventable, and marijuana-impaired driving could have been a factor in some of them.
To understand how serious this issue is, look no further than the tragic case in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Six teens lost their lives in a crash linked to marijuana-impaired driving. The 16-year-old driver had held her license for only a few months. The crash occurred after she failed to stop at a stop sign and made a left turn in front of a large truck hauling gravel. The collision killed all six teens in the car. Investigators later found that the driver had likely used marijuana before getting behind the wheel.
What can parents do to prevent teen marijuana-impaired driving accidents?
The NTSB offers valuable tips to help parents prevent these serious and tragic car accidents. Here's what the organization suggests:
- Have honest, open conversations about the dangers of driving under the influence.
- Educate teens on how marijuana impairs motor skills, judgment, and reaction times.
- Emphasize that driving while impaired is illegal, and California enforces a zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers under the influence, regardless of the amount of marijuana used.
- Encourage teens to make safe and responsible choices. That includes avoiding driving if they've used marijuana or feel impaired. If friends are impaired, find another way home, such as calling a parent, using a rideshare service, or staying put.
- Set a good example by never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Teens learn from their parents' behavior, so ensure your actions align with your advice.
Get legal help if you're involved in a crash with an impaired driver
Anyone using marijuana recreationally or medicinally is urged to do so responsibly. Unfortunately, many people get behind the wheel when they shouldn't and endanger others on California roads. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving an impaired or otherwise negligent driver, it's important to take prompt legal action.
The experienced car accident lawyers at Clancy & Diaz, LLP know how serious the impact of an impaired driving crash can be. In just seconds, a preventable collision can turn everything upside down. We've successfully represented clients who were hurt in impaired driving crashes and secured maximum settlements to help them recover.
We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless we win. To take the first step toward justice, contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation. Our offices are in Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, and Benicia.