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(Iowa City, IA) -- A national study finds more than half of people injured or killed in crashes tested positive for one more drugs. University of Iowa researchers were part of the study that found the most common substances were marijuana and alcohol.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds 55.8 percent of people seriously injured or killed in road crashes tested positive for one or more drugs. Researchers found cannabinoids (THC) were the dominate substance among those 18-to-20 years old who were involved in a serious or deadly crash. Cannabinoids and Alcohol were equally represented among most adult groups under age 45. Alcohol was the most common substance in impaired drivers over age 45.
Data specific to the University of Iowa site for seriously injured drivers reporting to the Emergency Department:
- 45.3% positive for any drug
- 16.9% with alcohol in their blood
- 16.5% had cannabinoids (active THC)