The use of illicit drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs can make driving dangerous, posing a safety risk to all motorists on the road. Drugged driving has surpassed drunk driving as the cause of many fatal car accidents in the U.S. with the Governors Highway Safety Association reporting that drugs ranging from marijuana to opioids were present in 43 percent of people involved in fatal car accidents in 2015 versus 37 percent who tested positive for alcohol.
The effects of various drugs vary, but all can have an impact on your ability to drive responsibly. Marijuana can slow reaction time, impair judgement of time and distance and decrease coordination. Drivers impaired by meth or cocaine can be reckless and aggressive, while those on sedatives may fall asleep behind the wheel. All of these impairments can lead to serious injury accidents.
In response to the threat that a drugged driver poses to everyone on the road, Iowa law enforcement is stepping up its efforts to train officers to detect drivers under the influence of drugs in an effort to prevent car and truck accidents.
If you or a family member has been injured at the hands of an impaired driver, contact the Des Moines personal injury Law Offices of Marc Humphrey for assistance. Our Iowa personal injury team represents injured Iowans who have suffered great harm due to the actions of a negligent driver. Call our offices for help today at 515-331-3510.
