Drugged driving is an emerging problem across the U.S., but many people are unaware of the magnitude of the problem.  Some of the unique challenges faced today include:

  • Thousands if not tens of thousands of impairing drugs exist, both illegal and legal, that hold the potential to impair driving ability.  Drugs that can impair driving extend far beyond illicit drugs, to include prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, and legal medicinal or recreational marijuana.
  • Many drivers get behind the wheel after consuming a mix of drugs and alcohol.  This dual use, known as poly use, results in serious impairment and creates a whole host of serious issues.
  • Currently, there is no system for widespread data collection among the states concerning drugged driving like there is for drunk driving.

What is Drugged Driving?

Drugged driving is defined as the presence of legal or illegal substances that impair driving ability.  Poly abuse is defined as a person mixing drugs and alcohol, then getting behind the wheel.

How Drugs Affect Driving Skills

Drugs have an effect on nearly every system in the body, and their impact extends to:

  • Reaction time:  Drugs will slow a driver’s response and reaction times.
  • Coordination:  Drugs impact the nerves and muscles, making reasonable steering, braking, accelerating, and overall control of the vehicle difficult.
  • Judgment:  Drugs have great cognitive effects, hindering a person’s ability to assess risks and hazards by decreasing the fear response and thus increasing risk taking behavior.
  • Attention:  A variety of drugs are known to make it difficult for individuals to focus and process information.
  • Tracking:  Drugs diminish a driver’s ability to stay in their lane and maintain a safe following distance.
  • Perception:  Some 90 percent of the information processed by the brain is visual, making vision impairment due to drugs a serious danger.

Even a small amount of drugs can have a measureable effect on one’s driving ability and not all individuals react the same to every drug, even prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Drugged Driving Presents Legal Challenges

While each state has set a maximum blood alcohol content level that is legal for an individual to still be able to drive, drugs cannot so easily be measured.  Testing for drug usage is not always as simple as a Breathalyzer test or even a blood test.  Some drugs can quickly leave the system, while others will remain there for long periods of time, making drug tests inaccurate for the purposes of charging someone with drugged driving.

Most states have taken the approach of evaluating the impact of the drugs on the person’s driving and coordination.  While this will accurately detect drug usage for some drugs, others may escape arrest.  New methods for combating drugged driving will likely be necessary in the future.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Fighting for the Recovery of DUI and Drugged Driving Victims  

Drugged driving is becoming a growing concern among road users across the U.S.  There are a number of drugs, both illegal and illegal, as well as prescription and over-the-counter, that impair a driver’s ability to responsibly focus on the road ahead.  Drugged driving can also be harder to detect as testing for these substances is more difficult than it is for alcohol.  The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have assisted numerous victims of drugged driving.  We understand the unique issues that surround these cases and will fight to see that you obtain the compensation you deserve and justice is served.  Call the outstanding automobile accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.