HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The AAA Traffic Safety Foundation conducted a survey asking people about their driving habits and cannabis usage, finding many people misunderstood the legality of driving after consuming cannabis.

In Virginia, someone who is caught driving while high can face the same consequences as someone who drives under the influence of alcohol.

Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson, said people misunderstanding the impact of cannabis on driving could result in resistance to public education and outreach regarding impaired driving. He emphasized the importance of staying sober and having a plan in place if someone will be consuming alcohol or marijuana.

“It is not safe to get behind the wheel with cannabis in your system like that,” Dean said. “Our reminder for drivers is that they need to look at it like driving under the influence. Have a plan for your day if it’s going to involve partaking in alcohol, partaking in cannabis.”

Here are some of the results AAA found:

• Daily and frequent consumption – 44.1% said they consume cannabis multiple times per day
• Driving regularly – 57.8% indicated that they drive daily
• Consuming then driving is common – 84.8% revealed that they drive the same day that they consume cannabis, with 53% saying they consumed an hour or less before driving
• Believe consumption has little effect on driving – 46.9% believe they either drive the same, a little better (14.7%), or much better (19.4%)
• Cannabis industry carries weight – 38.6% said they would trust messaging about cannabis use and safe driving from cannabis industry groups and cannabis brands/companies (37.3%)

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority also did a survey, finding specific results for Virginia drivers. According to the VCCA, nearly a quarter of Virginia drivers admitted to driving high a few times a year. Dean said any type of intoxication can put drivers and the community at large at risk.

“They’re a danger to themselves, to everyone else in that vehicle and everybody else in and around the roadway,” Dean said. “That ticket they end up getting could cost thousands and thousands of dollars, they could lose their insurance, they could lose their ability to drive.”

Dean said cannabis use has been frowned upon previously, but legalization has made it socially acceptable. That said, Dean emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed, especially if Virginia authorizes the recreational sale of marijuana.

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