An examination of relationships between cannabis legalization and fatal motor vehicle and pedestrian-involved crashes.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

While attention has been given to how legalization of recreational cannabis affects traffic crash rates, there was been limited research on how cannabis affects pedestrians involved in traffic crashes. This study examined the association between cannabis legalization (medical, recreational use, and recreational sales) and fatal motor vehicle crash rates (both pedestrian-involved and total fatal crashes).

Methods

We used crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to calculate monthly rates of fatal motor vehicle crashes and fatal pedestrian-involved crashes per 100,000 people from 1991 to 2018. Changes in monthly crash rates in three states that had legalized cannabis (Colorado, Washington, and Oregon) were compared to matched control states using

SUBMITTER: Calvert C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7709737 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature