Drug Use in Non-Fatal Car Crashes and How Cannabis Policies Affect Crash Rates
Analysis of drug-related motor vehicle crash data in 2023 examined how cannabis legalization policies relate to drug-positive crash rates across US communities.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The study assessed drug use prevalence among non-fatally injured crash victims and evaluated whether state cannabis legalization policies were associated with differences in drug-related crash rates.
Key Numbers
2023 data on drug use among non-fatally injured crash victims across US states with varying cannabis legal frameworks.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of drug use among individuals injured in non-fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2023, examining associations with state-level cannabis and driving-related drug policies.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding whether cannabis legalization affects crash rates is essential for evidence-based traffic safety policy. This study provides 2023 data as more states have legalized.
The Bigger Picture
The relationship between cannabis legalization and traffic safety remains hotly debated. Real-world crash data helps move beyond speculation to evidence-based policy discussions.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Drug presence doesn't equal impairment at time of crash. Testing protocols vary across jurisdictions. Non-fatal crashes only.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do specific aspects of cannabis regulation (potency limits, packaging requirements, DUI laws) differentially affect crash rates?
- ?How do we best measure cannabis impairment at crash scenes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional analysis of real-world crash data — provides useful associations but cannot establish causal links between policies and outcomes.
- Study Age:
- Uses 2023 data, making it among the most current analyses of cannabis policy impacts on traffic safety.
- Original Title:
- Drug use among individuals injured in non-fatal motor vehicle crashes and related policies in 2023.
- Published In:
- Traffic injury prevention, 26(7), 760-768 (2025)
- Authors:
- Won, Nae Y(2), Gurka, Kelly K(2), Striley, Catherine W(3), Nixon, Sara Jo, Cottler, Linda B
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07969
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does legalizing cannabis cause more car crashes?
This study examines associations, not causation. The relationship is complex — legalization may increase cannabis-positive test results without necessarily increasing impairment-caused crashes.
How do they test for drugs after a crash?
Injured individuals typically receive blood or urine testing at hospitals. However, testing positive for cannabis metabolites doesn't mean the person was impaired at the time of the crash.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07969APA
Won, Nae Y; Gurka, Kelly K; Striley, Catherine W; Nixon, Sara Jo; Cottler, Linda B. (2025). Drug use among individuals injured in non-fatal motor vehicle crashes and related policies in 2023.. Traffic injury prevention, 26(7), 760-768. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2025.2456952
MLA
Won, Nae Y, et al. "Drug use among individuals injured in non-fatal motor vehicle crashes and related policies in 2023.." Traffic injury prevention, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2025.2456952
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Drug use among individuals injured in non-fatal motor vehicl..." RTHC-07969. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/won-2025-drug-use-among-individuals
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.