In the recent past, we have been inundated with information on drinking and driving, and with good reason. Driving under the influence of alcohol claims thousands of lives every year. However, it is important to be aware that alcohol is not the only dangerous substance out there. Driving while under the influence of drugs, whether legal or illegal, can seriously impair your driving as well.
Drug-Impaired Drivers – More Common Than Most Think
The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their first study on the subject in November 2010, with alarming results. In their five-year study, they found that 18% of the 21,798 killed in vehicle accidents tested positive for drugs. New York came in slightly lower than the national average, reporting that 15% tested positive for drugs in 2009.
What is even more concerning is that this trend is picking up momentum. According the a 2013-2014 report by the NHTSA, 22% of drivers now test positive for some form of drug, whether that be illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter, while driving. However, being that reliable roadside drug tests do not exist, this number may be even higher.
It is important to be aware that all drugs – whether illegal, prescribed by a doctor, or over-the-counter – have the ability to impair reaction time, motor skills, and judgment. Drugged driving puts not only you at risk, but also those you share the road with.
Contact Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident that involved the use of any type of drug, contact the offices of Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. for you legal needs. You can contact us online or call 1-516-342-2200 to get started. We will fight for you!
