QUESTION: Am I right in believing that driving under the influence of illegal drugs is increasing in Minnesota?

ANSWER: As many Minnesotans try to squeeze in one last road trip before schools restart, a AAA Consumer PulseTM survey conducted of Minnesota residents within the last month showed their perceptions of increased drug use by roadway users matches up with a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dated February 2015 of actual drug use by roadway users.

The NHTSA report shows impairment by alcohol in total numbers is declining at the same time impairment by illegal and legal drugs in total numbers is increasing.

Impairment as a percent remains a contributing factor in approximately 33 percent of all fatal crashes, but an increasing number of those crashes involve illegal and legal drugs. The NHTSA report showed a “large decrease in the percentage of drivers who were alcohol positive,” “a large increase in the prevalence of illegal drugs,” and “a small increase in drug-positive drivers using medications.”

Minnesotan’s perceptions line up with those facts. According to the AAA Consumer PulseTM survey, 43 percent of Minnesotans believe driving under the influence of illegal drugs happens more often than five years ago, 40 percent of Minnesotans believe driving under the influence of legal drugs happens more often than five years ago, and 32 percent of Minnesotans believe driving under the influence of alcohol happens more often than five years ago.

Minnesotans are wise to perceive the changes in the types of impairment they may be encountering on the roadways and to be defensive drivers, not just over weekends or holidays, but every day of the week.

The Parenting Resource Center coordinates the Mower County TZD (Toward Zero Deaths) Safe Roads Coalition.  The Minnesota  Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Law Enforcement Wave is in effect through Labor Day.