Traffic Deaths Increase after 4:20 PM on 4/20

May 7, 2026

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This document discusses a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that investigated a potential increase in traffic fatalities associated with April 20th (4/20), often celebrated as Marijuana Day. Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. National Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, focusing on traffic deaths between 4:20 PM and midnight on 4/20 from 1992 to 2016, comparing them to control dates one week before and after. The findings indicated a 12 percent increase in traffic accident fatalities on 4/20 after 4:20 PM compared to the control periods. Notably, for drivers aged 20 and under, this increase was significantly higher, exceeding 30 percent in some states. The study acknowledges that while the findings suggest a correlation, they do not definitively prove that marijuana-impaired driving was the sole cause, mentioning that drivers attempting to light up could also be a factor. Scientific American, while historically supportive of research into marijuana's medicinal effects and decriminalization, maintains a firm stance against driving under the influence of any substance, emphasizing the importance of not driving while intoxicated. The document concludes with a strong advisory against driving while under the influence of marijuana.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

May 7, 2026

Upload by Himbo