Yesterday voters in Colorado approved new taxes on the sale of recreational marijuana. These taxes are designed to cover expenses for regulation and enforcement of the new laws, as well as education for the health and public safety impact of marijuana use. Increased public awareness must be expanded on the danger of the combination of alcohol and marijuana use and its effect on impairment.
There is a growing attitude that marijuana is a safe drug, at least compared to other illegal drugs and alcohol. A drunk driver is 11 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident, while a stoned driver is twice as likely to cause an accident compared to a sober driver Research indicates that drivers who are high are typically able to compensate by driving more slowly. However, the combination of alcohol and THC can increase impairment to a greater level than either drug alone. It is anticipated that with greater availability that there may be up to 67.5 million instances of intoxication from marijuana in 2014 in Colorado.
There are no estimates of how many people will get behind the wheel and drive, or how many might combine drugs for a potentially lethal dose. Because Colorado is on the forefront of the legalization wave, we must be thoughtful and progressive on how we educate the population on this serious issue.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. at (303) 279-0221. We help injured people - it's all we do!
Source: http://www.denverpost.com
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