WTSC data shows significant spike in marijuana-related fatalities

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission recently released new data showing marijuana use as a factor in fatal collisions spiked 48 percent from 2013 to 2014.

Sixty percent of drivers in fatal collisions were tested for drugs from 2010-14, and 20 percent ' 349 drivers ' came back positive for marijuana.

While testing positive for marijuana hasn't always meant it affected the driver at the time of the collision, the WTSC reports new data allows it to distinguish between those with impaired by THC and those with residual marijuana in their systems.

"With this data we are finally able to see who was high during the crash versus which drivers had used marijuana in the past few days,GÇ¥ said Staci Hoff, WTSC data and research director. "The answer in 2014 is most of them were high.GÇ¥

In 2014, 85 percent of drivers tested positive for THC impairment, and half of those were above the 5 ng/ml limit. The highest THC level tested was at 70 ng/ml. However, half of these drivers were also under the influence of alcohol, most above the limit.

Men, ages 21-25, had the most significant increase of any age group tested, with six drivers testing positive for THC impairment in 2013 and 19 in 2014.

Law enforcement began conducting emphasis patrols in trouble spots across the state on where historically high levels of DUIs have been recorded on Aug. 21, the campaign running through Labor Day.