Despite the encouraging decline in driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol and marijuana combined among youth and young adults aged 16-25, everyone should remember that drunk and drugged driving is a risky behavior that can result in fatal motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among American youth and young adults aged 16-25 years.
This SAMHSA study reveals that from 2002-2014 fewer persons aged 16-25 years drove under the influence of alcohol alone and alcohol and marijuana combined. Driving under the influence of alcohol alone increased with age, changing from 1.5% among persons aged 16 years to 18.1% among persons aged 21 years. Since driving under the influence of any psychoactive substance is a risky behavior, additional prevention efforts are needed to further reduce driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. This important public health problem requires the attention of parents, public health officials, law enforcement, and federal and state officials.
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