Drug Use and Car Accidents

Driving while under the influence of drugs has devastating consequences, not only for the driver and passengers, but also for other motorists.

It is not only dangerous to drive while under the influence of psychoactive or mind-altering drugs, it is also illegal. Driving while under the influence of drugs is dangerous, not just for the driver and passengers, but also for other motorists.

Dangers Posed By Using Drugs While Driving

While the danger posed by some drugs is determined by the effects these drugs have on the brain, all of them affect the faculties of a person and their ability to operate a vehicle safely. The affected faculties are attention, motor skills, reaction time, judgment, perception, balance, and coordination.

Number of People Who Drive Under the Influence of Drugs

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealed that around 10.3 million (3.9 percent) individuals used illicit drugs while driving in 2011. The National Highway Safety Administration revealed through the 2007 National Roadside Survey that over 16 percent of drivers driving have tested positive for prescription, over-the-counter, and illegal drugs. Over 11 percent were found to have used illicit drugs. The NSDUH data revealed that more men used illicit drugs or alcohol while driving compared to women. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 have a higher tendency to use drugs while driving.

It is not easy to determine the number of car accidents caused by drugged driving due to the inconsistent testing for drug use. A good number of drivers were also found to have used both drugs and alcohol while driving, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the actual substance causing the accident.

Drugs That Cause Car Accidents

The active ingredient of marijuana, THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is second only to alcohol as the substance normally found in the blood of impaired and fatally-injured drivers as well as victims of car accidents. Research revealed that between 4 and 14 percent of drivers injured or killed in car accidents were found positive for THC. Studies on simulated and real driving showed that marijuana has a harmful effect on attentiveness, time, and speed perception. Studies also revealed that a considerable increase in impairment was noted when marijuana was used together with alcohol. Other drugs found to contribute to vehicle accidents are amphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and opiates.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a driver under the influence of drugs, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.