A new public awareness video from the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office aims to provide clarity around a common misconception – that driving while high on marijuana may not be as dangerous as driving drunk.

The video acknowledges many hold the view that cannabis does not impair driving abilities in the same way alcohol does. However, interviews with researchers and traffic safety experts make the case that any drug use that causes impairment puts drivers at a disadvantage behind the wheel.

Cannabis has been shown to slow reaction time, diminish judgment and compromise focus – all key skills needed for safe driving. While high, it can take longer for the brain to process information it receives through the eyes and on the road.

The overall message conveyed is that no psychoactive substance should mix with operating a vehicle. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal, as it puts drivers and other motorists at heightened risk. With legalization increasing access to cannabis, the goal of the CT DOT video is to promote an understanding of drugs’ actual impact on driving capabilities.

Find more from CT DOT Highway Safety (USA, February 2024)