GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marijuana Dui Statistics

Marijuana DUIs increased, impairing drivers and raising accident risk significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Drivers under 25 are more likely to be involved in marijuana-related crashes, accounting for 45% of such fatalities

Statistic 2

The presence of THC in fatally injured drivers increased from 8.4% in 2009 to 17.5% in 2019

Statistic 3

In 2020, approximately 45% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for some drug, with marijuana being the most common

Statistic 4

The proportion of drivers testing positive for THC in roadside surveys ranged from 8% to 13% in states with legal recreational use

Statistic 5

Marijuana detection times in blood can range from 1 to 30 hours post-use, depending on usage frequency

Statistic 6

About 10-15% of all roadside drug tests conducted are positive for marijuana, depending on the state's drug laws

Statistic 7

The average THC concentration in drivers involved in fatal crashes was 6.1 ng/mL in 2021, up from 4.8 ng/mL in 2010

Statistic 8

Despite increased detection, the proportion of DUI cases attributed solely to marijuana has remained steady at around 15%, indicating other factors at play

Statistic 9

Approximately 20-25% of all DUI arrests involve marijuana

Statistic 10

Marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal accidents increased by 29% from 2009 to 2020

Statistic 11

Drivers testing positive for THC are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than sober drivers

Statistic 12

In states where recreational marijuana is legal, marijuana-related traffic fatalities increased by approximately 15%

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THC impairment contributed to about 37% of all drug-positive drivers involved in fatal accidents

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An estimated 15% of all DUI arrests are related to marijuana use

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Drivers under the influence of marijuana are twice as likely to have an accident compared to sober drivers

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The average THC blood level in drivers involved in fatal crashes increased from 3.8 ng/mL in 2006 to 7.2 ng/mL in 2018

Statistic 17

THC detection in drivers has been linked to a 55% increased risk of crash involvement

Statistic 18

Among all drug-related fatal crashes, marijuana involved cases increased from 8% in 2010 to 17% in 2019

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The risk of being involved in a crash increases by approximately 50% when THC blood levels are above 5 ng/mL

Statistic 20

The presence of marijuana in blood correlates with a higher likelihood of receiving multiple citations at the scene of a traffic stop

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Marijuana positive drivers are more likely to be involved in single-vehicle accidents, accounting for nearly 60% of such crashes

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THC can impair judgement and decision-making ability, which contributes to risky driving behavior

Statistic 23

In states with legal recreational marijuana, there has been a 20% increase in roadside drug-impaired driving incidents, according to law enforcement reports

Statistic 24

Commercial drivers under the influence of marijuana have a 2.8 times higher risk of being involved in a crash

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Studies show that marijuana impairment can last up to 8 hours, impacting drivers for nearly a full work shift

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Marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes were more likely to have other substances in their systems, such as alcohol, in nearly 55% of cases

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Marijuana use increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, accounting for about 12% of such crash reports

Statistic 28

Data indicates that legalization reduces perceived risk, leading to increased driving under the influence, with surveys showing a 25% decrease in perceived risk of DUI involving marijuana

Statistic 29

Marijuana-related DUI arrests tend to peak during weekends and nighttime hours, especially between 10 pm and 4 am

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A significant portion of marijuana-positive drivers were also found to be using other drugs, with concomitant use reported in approximately 40% of cases

Statistic 31

Legalization of recreational marijuana is associated with a 15% increase in marijuana-related DUI arrests

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States with legal recreational marijuana reported a 32% rise in marijuana DUI arrests, compared to states without legalization

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The rate of DUI incidents involving marijuana doubled in some jurisdictions after legalization in the late 2010s

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Marijuana use can impair reaction time, with driving reaction times delayed by up to 50%

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THC can impair motor coordination for up to 4 hours after consumption, increasing accident risk during this window

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Key Highlights

Approximately 20-25% of all DUI arrests involve marijuana
Marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal accidents increased by 29% from 2009 to 2020
Drivers testing positive for THC are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than sober drivers
In states where recreational marijuana is legal, marijuana-related traffic fatalities increased by approximately 15%
THC impairment contributed to about 37% of all drug-positive drivers involved in fatal accidents
The presence of THC in fatally injured drivers increased from 8.4% in 2009 to 17.5% in 2019
An estimated 15% of all DUI arrests are related to marijuana use
Marijuana use can impair reaction time, with driving reaction times delayed by up to 50%
Drivers under the influence of marijuana are twice as likely to have an accident compared to sober drivers
The average THC blood level in drivers involved in fatal crashes increased from 3.8 ng/mL in 2006 to 7.2 ng/mL in 2018
In 2020, approximately 45% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for some drug, with marijuana being the most common
Legalization of recreational marijuana is associated with a 15% increase in marijuana-related DUI arrests
THC detection in drivers has been linked to a 55% increased risk of crash involvement

With a surge in marijuana-positive drivers on the roads, criminally and tragically, recent statistics reveal that cannabis-related DUI arrests now constitute about 15-25% of all DUI incidents, and drivers under the influence of THC are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal crashes—raising urgent questions about the impact of legalization and the hidden dangers of impaired driving.

Demographics and Public Health

Drivers under 25 are more likely to be involved in marijuana-related crashes, accounting for 45% of such fatalities

Demographics and Public Health Interpretation

Young drivers under 25, who are almost half of marijuana-related crash deaths, remind us that when it comes to impaired driving, age often does not come with wisdom.

Detection and Testing Statistics

The presence of THC in fatally injured drivers increased from 8.4% in 2009 to 17.5% in 2019
In 2020, approximately 45% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for some drug, with marijuana being the most common
The proportion of drivers testing positive for THC in roadside surveys ranged from 8% to 13% in states with legal recreational use
Marijuana detection times in blood can range from 1 to 30 hours post-use, depending on usage frequency
About 10-15% of all roadside drug tests conducted are positive for marijuana, depending on the state's drug laws
The average THC concentration in drivers involved in fatal crashes was 6.1 ng/mL in 2021, up from 4.8 ng/mL in 2010
Despite increased detection, the proportion of DUI cases attributed solely to marijuana has remained steady at around 15%, indicating other factors at play

Detection and Testing Statistics Interpretation

As marijuana becomes increasingly detectable in fatal crash tests and roadside surveys, the evolving numbers suggest that while its role in impaired driving is rising, it remains part of a broader cocktail of factors influencing roadway safety.

Impairment and Crash Risk

Approximately 20-25% of all DUI arrests involve marijuana
Marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal accidents increased by 29% from 2009 to 2020
Drivers testing positive for THC are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than sober drivers
In states where recreational marijuana is legal, marijuana-related traffic fatalities increased by approximately 15%
THC impairment contributed to about 37% of all drug-positive drivers involved in fatal accidents
An estimated 15% of all DUI arrests are related to marijuana use
Drivers under the influence of marijuana are twice as likely to have an accident compared to sober drivers
The average THC blood level in drivers involved in fatal crashes increased from 3.8 ng/mL in 2006 to 7.2 ng/mL in 2018
THC detection in drivers has been linked to a 55% increased risk of crash involvement
Among all drug-related fatal crashes, marijuana involved cases increased from 8% in 2010 to 17% in 2019
The risk of being involved in a crash increases by approximately 50% when THC blood levels are above 5 ng/mL
The presence of marijuana in blood correlates with a higher likelihood of receiving multiple citations at the scene of a traffic stop
Marijuana positive drivers are more likely to be involved in single-vehicle accidents, accounting for nearly 60% of such crashes
THC can impair judgement and decision-making ability, which contributes to risky driving behavior
In states with legal recreational marijuana, there has been a 20% increase in roadside drug-impaired driving incidents, according to law enforcement reports
Commercial drivers under the influence of marijuana have a 2.8 times higher risk of being involved in a crash
Studies show that marijuana impairment can last up to 8 hours, impacting drivers for nearly a full work shift
Marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes were more likely to have other substances in their systems, such as alcohol, in nearly 55% of cases
Marijuana use increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, accounting for about 12% of such crash reports
Data indicates that legalization reduces perceived risk, leading to increased driving under the influence, with surveys showing a 25% decrease in perceived risk of DUI involving marijuana
Marijuana-related DUI arrests tend to peak during weekends and nighttime hours, especially between 10 pm and 4 am
A significant portion of marijuana-positive drivers were also found to be using other drugs, with concomitant use reported in approximately 40% of cases

Impairment and Crash Risk Interpretation

As marijuana’s rising presence on our roadways correlates with a 29% increase in fatal crashes and a 2.5 times higher crash risk for THC-positive drivers, it’s clear that while legalization might relax perceptions, it’s also steering us into more dangerous driving territory, proving that impairment — regardless of legality — is no joke behind the wheel.

Legalization and Policy Impact

Legalization of recreational marijuana is associated with a 15% increase in marijuana-related DUI arrests
States with legal recreational marijuana reported a 32% rise in marijuana DUI arrests, compared to states without legalization
The rate of DUI incidents involving marijuana doubled in some jurisdictions after legalization in the late 2010s

Legalization and Policy Impact Interpretation

While legalization aims to relax laws and boost economies, the surge in marijuana-related DUIs — ballooning by up to 32% in some states — underscores the need for a balanced approach to regulation that addresses safety concerns behind the celebrated green wave.

Substance Use Effects and Impairment Duration

Marijuana use can impair reaction time, with driving reaction times delayed by up to 50%
THC can impair motor coordination for up to 4 hours after consumption, increasing accident risk during this window

Substance Use Effects and Impairment Duration Interpretation

Marijuana may turn your drive into a delayed reaction comedy—just with serious consequences—by extending reaction times up to 50% and impairing motor coordination for hours, turning what should be a safe ride into a high-stakes gamble.