Drugged Driving is Just as Dangerous as Drunk Driving
We see a lot in the news about drunk driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol, but what about drugged driving? While it may not get as much as attention, drugged driving is just as dangerous as driving after having a couple of drinks. Regardless of what the drug is, it can make operating a vehicle extremely unsafe, to say the least. Drugged driving not only endangers the driver and their passengers, but other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists on the road.
The types of drugs available – both prescription and recreational – come with a diverse range of side effects and potential risks. There are many different factors that should be taken into consideration when looking at how a drug will affect someone, such as their physical makeup and history with drugs. If you have been involved in a car accident that was caused by someone who was under the influence of drugs, please contact Shamieh Law today. Drugged driving is a serious offense that can have catastrophic consequences. Our personal injury attorneys are here to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve and see that justice is served.
What is Drugged Driving?
Drugged driving is any circumstance in which the driver gets behind the wheel of a car under the influence of a narcotic, opioid, or some other mind-altering drugs (other than alcohol). As you can imagine, this is very dangerous because the driver is not in their usual state of mind, affecting their ability to make safe decisions.
While there are many different drugs identified as dangerous, the most common cases of drugged driving involve the following:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Tranquilizers
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
How long after taking drugs can you drive?
This will depend on a host of factors, as mentioned earlier. As a general rule, you should never drive after taking drugs. If you are prescribed drugs following surgery or for pain, have someone else drive. Many drugs – such as marijuana – can take up to three or more hours before you may feel the effects. Because of this, it is better not to drive after taking drugs.
What drugs can you drive on?
You can, of course, drive on ibuprofen and many other over-the-counter drugs, but it is important you understand how they affect you before getting behind the wheel.
What are the ramifications of drugged driving?
Similarly, to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugged driving carries a host of penalties. Depending on your driving history, and whether you’ve been pulled over for a similar offense, you could face hefty fines, community service, license suspension, or even jail time.
Drugged Driving Statistics
Now that we have a better understanding of what drugged driving is, let’s go over some shocking statistics:
- 12.8 million people drove under the influence of drugs in 2017
- Nearly 44 percent of drivers in fatal car accidents had drugs in their system
- 1 in 6 college students have driven under the influence of drugs
- Marijuana is the drug most commonly found in driver’s systems (behind only alcohol)
If you have been involved in a drugged driving accident in Dallas, please contact Shamieh Law today and schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys.