We\u2019re all familiar with driving under the influence of alcohol, but drugged driving is a close second in causing accidents while impaired. This can include illegal as well as prescription drugs \u2013 even over-the-counter medications.<\/p>\n
In fact, a nationwide study of fatal crashes in 2010 found that 46.5 percent of drugged drivers were under the influence of prescription drugs, obtained both legally and illegally. The study shows 36.9 were using marijuana and 9.8 percent were using cocaine. Furthermore, the prescription drugs most commonly associated with car crashes included oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam and diazepam.<\/p>\n
Entirely new problem<\/strong><\/p>\n While laws regarding drugged driving differ between states and can involve both state and federal statutes, the legalization of certain drugs, such as marijuana, for medicinal or recreational use has created an entirely new problem. In some states the stance is zero-tolerance, but in those with more lenient laws, the punishment may be less severe. Therefore, knowledge of your state laws could save you a lot of strife \u2013 not to mention, extensive penalties in addition to jail time.<\/p>\n The recent passages of laws that have legalized these drugs have contributed to an increase in fatal car accidents, according to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology. By comparison, in 1999, 4 percent of the total number of fatalities was specifically attributed to marijuana. However, 12 percent of fatal accidents were linked to marijuana in 2012, with that number expected to increase dramatically in 2016.<\/p>\n In addition, the study found that at least one out of every nine drivers involved in a fatal car wreck tested positive for marijuana. Meanwhile, the number of alcohol-impaired accidents remained at approximately the same rate during the study period.<\/p>\n Risk of Drugged Driving<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course, when you decide to engage in drugged driving, the risk may be the last thing on your mind. But, maybe it should be your first consideration before getting behind the wheel. Case in point: An individual who drives while under the influence of alcohol is typically 13 times more likely to cause a fatal motor vehicle accident than someone who hasn\u2019t been drinking.<\/p>\n If that didn\u2019t get your attention \u2013 how about this? If you mix alcohol and marijuana, you\u2019re now about 24 times more likely to not make it to your destination and cause a fatal motor vehicle accident. The result can be loss of human life, serious and potentially life- changing injuries to yourself or other drivers, and incarceration \u2013 as well as facing expensive civil lawsuits against you.<\/p>\n