VIDEO: Legal pot crashes study

(NBC) - A new study finds that states with legalized recreational marijuana have seen an increase in traffic crashes and fatalities.

States with legalized marijuana have seen an uptick in traffic crashes and fatalities.

That's according to a new study from the insurance institute for highway safety.

They looked at five states that allow recreational marijuana use and saw an increase in traffic crashes and fatalities in the wake of legalization.

There was a 5.8% increase in the rate of traffic crash injuries.

And a 4.1% increase in fatal crash rates after marijuana sales began.

That's compared to no increase over the same time in a control group of six states where the drug remains illegal.