More than Half of Respondents Say They Have Consumed Cannabis an Hour or Less Before Driving. More than a third believe their driving is improved after cannabis
OKLAHOMA CITY – March 12, 2025 – Do cannabis consumers see the dangers in getting behind the wheel soon after consuming cannabis?
A new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study suggests that many cannabis consumers hold misperceptions about cannabis and driving, including the inaccurate belief that cannabis improves their driving abilities or enhances their focus.
“Mistaken beliefs about the impact of cannabis on driving could result in resistance to public education outreach on impaired driving,” said Shawn Steward, public affairs manager, AAA Oklahoma. “There is widespread confusion about laws relating to cannabis, the impact cannabis has on driving ability and law enforcement methods. Many consumers are unaware of legal limits or may believe police officers are unable to detect if they are high.”
With cannabis consumption legal for either recreational or medical use in 38 states, cannabis has become the third most commonly used substance in the country, trailing only nicotine and alcohol. With the rise in cannabis use, impaired driving due to cannabis is also on the rise, leading to a heightened risk of crashes, injuries and fatalities.
“Understanding what motivates cannabis consumers to drive under the influence can be helpful in developing effective safety strategies,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “With insights on perceptions, decision-making, and behavior, we aim to inform policies and interventions that make our roads safer for everyone.”
Many believe cannabis is less risky than alcohol
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted two separate but complementary studies on cannabis. The first focused on analyzing cannabis consumers’ thoughts, perceptions and reasons for driving under the influence. Many cannabis consumers are poly-substance consumers, meaning they frequently combine cannabis consumption with alcohol consumption, increasing the risks of impaired driving.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted two separate but complementary studies on cannabis. The first focused on analyzing cannabis consumers’ thoughts, perceptions and reasons for driving under the influence. Many cannabis consumers are poly-substance consumers, meaning they frequently combine cannabis consumption with alcohol consumption, increasing the risks of impaired driving.
The first study used surveys to gain a deeper understanding of cannabis consumers’ behaviors and perceptions of themselves. The survey questions were developed with input from a panel of public health, law enforcement, traffic safety, and cannabis subject matter experts. A few key themes emerged from survey respondents:
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44.1% said they consume cannabis multiple times per day
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57.8% indicated that they drive daily
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84.8% revealed that they drive the same day that they consume cannabis, with 53% saying they consumed an hour or less before driving
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46.9% believe they either drive the same, a little better (14.7%), or much better (19.4%)
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38.6% said they would trust messaging about cannabis use and safe driving from cannabis industry groups and cannabis brands/companies (37.3%)
Choosing the right safety messages
While the second study also gauged habits, behaviors and perceptions, it primarily focused on what types of impaired driving messages resonated most with participants who are regular cannabis consumers.
Study participants identified specific message content they found most engaging:
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Messages that highlighted personal responsibility and safety concerns performed better than messages based on legal risks.
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Participants also strongly preferred realistic, positive, and diverse messaging that avoids exaggerated stereotypes.
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To ensure relevancy, messages should be tailored to the intended audience (no one size fits all).
“Effective messaging about cannabis-impaired driving needs to include credible voices, real-world scenarios, and respectful language,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy. “Individuals who consume cannabis come from all walks of life and that should be reflected in the messaging.”
The research shows cannabis consumers consider the cannabis industry a trusted and relatable source. Other key takeaways from the research include:
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Messaging should address common myths and misconceptions respectfully
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Unlike alcohol, cannabis affects drivers in complex ways that are not easily quantified. Effects can vary from person to person but may include:
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Fatigue/sleepiness
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Brain fog
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Changes in visual or auditory perception
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Impaired body movement
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Hallucinations/delusions
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Although impairment detection due to cannabis is not as straightforward as with alcohol, police are still able to identify cannabis impairment
“As cannabis use grows, developing relevant and engaging public health messaging becomes more critical than ever. As always, the approach to impaired driving must be multifaceted, incorporating policy, enforcement, environment and health with the overriding goal of improving public safety,” Steward added. “AAA strongly encourages the cannabis industry, policymakers and other traffic safety stakeholders to use these findings to tailor public education efforts on the dangers of cannabis-impaired driving.”
About The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Established in 1947 by AAA, the Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research informs the development of educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users.
Established in 1947 by AAA, the Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research informs the development of educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users.
About AAA:
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and more than 450,000 members in Oklahoma. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.
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