1 in 4 say cannabis-impaired driving is less dangerous than alcohol
DEARBORN, Mich., (April 20, 2026) — The cannabis holiday 4/20 brings a high risk to our roadways as more people celebrate. AAA is warning drivers about the dangers of driving high and urges anyone who is impaired to stay off the road.
“Regardless of whether cannabis is being used for medicinal or recreational purposes, driving under the influence of the drug is illegal and extremely dangerous,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “When you drive high, your reflexes, focus, and decision-making can all go up in smoke. That choice puts everyone else on the road at risk.”
Drivers Often Underestimate Cannabis Impairment
New AAA survey data shows most Michigan drivers recognize cannabis can affect driving ability. Sixty‑three percent say cannabis impairs a driver’s ability to react quickly and make safe decisions. Even so, perception gaps remain. More than one in four Michiganders (29%) believe driving after using cannabis is less dangerous than driving after drinking alcohol, a belief AAA says can lead drivers to underestimate impairment.
Opinions also diverge on accountability. More than half of Michiganders (54%) say cannabis‑impaired driving should carry the same penalties as an alcohol DUI, while 28% support lighter penalties.
“Impairment is impairment, regardless of the substance,” Woodland said. “No driver should gamble with their life or someone else’s because they assume cannabis affects them differently.”
AAA urges anyone celebrating 4/20 to make transportation plans before consuming cannabis. Options include a designated driver, rideshare service, public transportation, or waiting until fully sober before driving. AAA stresses there is no safe amount of cannabis use before getting behind the wheel.
Crashes Hit Different
The effort to educate motorists about the dangers of impaired driving and other risky driving behaviors is part of AAA – The Auto Club Group’s traffic safety campaign “Crashes Hit Different.” On average, someone is killed in a car crash every 12 minutes on our nation’s roads, primarily due to four factors: impairment, distraction, speed, and not wearing a seatbelt.
About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among 400 Michigan residents from January 26–February 5, 2026. Survey results asked for all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9% points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Michigan.
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG), named a 2026 Forbes Most Trusted Company in America, is the second-largest AAA club in North America, with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG is part of the national AAA federation, which serves more than 66 million members across the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.
