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The Five Signs of Impairment
Under the influence of marijuana drivers can experience:
- A slowed reaction time
- Limited short-term memory functions
- Decrease hand-eye coordination
- Weakened concentration
- Difficulty perceiving time and distance
Unlike alcohol, there is no specific impairment limit with marijuana. Marijuana affects everyone differently and can remain in a person’s system much longer than alcohol.
Driving impaired has many side effects that could prevent you from driving safely. Along with affecting motor skills, it can also cause drowsiness, an inability to react in simple situations, and a false sense of alertness and self‑confidence.
When you’re under the influence of marijuana, do not get behind the wheel. Driving impaired puts you and everyone else on the road at risk.
Know the facts about driving impaired.
Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Is Driving Impaired
Driving while impaired by drugs is illegal and subject to the same penalties as driving while impaired by alcohol.
Penalties for DUIs can include expensive fines, license revocation and jail time. Convictions can remain on your record for 75 years.
Be Aware of the Laws and Risks Related to Drug‑impaired Driving
In a statewide survey conducted in early 2018, more than one in three (36.5%) respondents said that they are “not at all knowledgeable” about legal issues related to marijuana use and driving in Florida. Overall, about two in three (65.7%) respondents correctly said it is true that driving under the influence of marijuana is always illegal in Florida. Nearly one in four (23.2%) respondents were unsure of whether driving under the influence of marijuana is always illegal in Florida. (Source: University of Florida, Florida Survey Research Center, 2018 )
In 2017, there were more than 43,000 DUI arrests in Florida. (Source: FLHSMV Data )
Drug-impaired Driving Is Deadly
In 2016, drug-impaired drivers caused 934 crashes, killing 440 people, including themselves, their passengers, and others on the road. (Source: FLHSMV Data )
There are many drugs that can affect a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle, including marijuana. If you are taking medication, check the label for warnings prior to driving. If you are not sure if it is safe to take the drug and drive, ask a doctor or pharmacist about any side effects.
Don’t Drive on Grass
Think about others on the road. Driving high is driving impaired, which puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The Florida Highway Patrol and law enforcement officers statewide are trained to spot impaired drivers, and they are constantly monitoring roadways for the signs of impaired drivers to keep everyone safe on the road.