Two data-driven reports examine claims that fatal traffic accidents rise on 4/20, an informal marijuana holiday, and focus on whether a previously reported increase is supported by broader analysis. One report reviews a database of fatal traffic accidents and finds about a 12% increase after 4:20 p.m. on 4/20 compared with nearby dates. It frames the pattern as occurring specifically in the hours after 4:20 p.m., rather than across the whole day.
A second report describes a deeper data analysis that challenges conclusions drawn from a 2018 study, which had suggested that fatal accidents on 4/20 were related to marijuana consumption. The newer reanalysis indicates that the earlier study’s interpretation may not hold up under additional scrutiny, raising questions about whether the observed spike reflects marijuana use or other factors.
Together, the pieces present a contested picture: one finds a modest post-4:20 p.m. increase in fatalities, while another questions whether the evidence is strong enough to connect the pattern to marijuana consumption specifically.
