# 156  

Washington Post article reports 2018 regional traffic death figure of 86, up from 59 in 2017; an amount attributed to substances (which include alcohol) of 32%.

To many followers of this blog, the data reported in today's Washington Post should come as no surprise.  In a previous post, Colorado reported that 33% of its traffic fatalities involved positive blood tests for THC. the active ingredient of marijuana.  These results were from the first two years of legalization in Colorado and they are to be commended for announcing the accurate data.  Other countries/states/regions may not be as aggressive in testing for THC and reporting the findings.

Washington, DC's voters legalized the use and possession of small amounts of marijuana in 2014 and the arrests for small amounts have fallen since passage of that law...which Congress did not support.

Readers should anticipate that drivers who self-administer substances which alter their minds will generate an increase of traffic fatalities.  As suggested here, Canada should follow Colorado's lead and track/report the data.  The District of Columbia needs also to follow Colorado's lead and report the data...even to the distinction of fatalities which involved THC in the absence of any alcohol.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2019/01/29/number-people-killed-by-drunk-drivers-increases-dc-region-even-number-crashes-decreases-report-says/?utm_term=.33390a70df65