In a survey conducted annually in which 17 thousand high school seniors are polled, more most recently than in previous years said they drive after smoking pot.

The good news is that fewer high school seniors reported getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

The not good news is that more report driving after smoking pot compared to previous years.

Those were among the findings of a recent National Institute on Drug Abuse sponsored study in which 17 thousand high school seniors attending 135 schools across the country were polled.

A research professor at the University of Michigan said, “It’s a big deal… the sheer numbers. It has been increasing steadily and looking down the road, it seems likely to get worse. We are concerned."

The surveys were taken anonymously, and quantity of marijuana used was not requested.

However, it’s difficult to determine the point at which smoking pot results in impaired driving anyway, as there are no standard guidelines like there are with alcohol consumption.

There also doesn’t seem to be a standard geographic or socioeconomic profile for those who drive while high.

While males appeared more likely to drive after consumption of alcohol or drugs, there was no discernible gender difference in the passengers who chose to ride with a driver who had taken drugs and alcohol.