When the acronym “DUI” is used by our blog at Serious Accidents, most of the time we are referring to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol where drunk-drivers cause all sorts of automobile accidents.  What we cannot forget and want we want to remind you is that “DUI” can also mean driving under the influence of drugs, both legal and illegal.

Nothing demonstrates the danger of driving while using medication than the tragic story of a single mother in Poway who was fatally struck by an alleged intoxicated driver who’s trial starts this week, as reported by 10 News.  At the time of the fatal pedestrian accident, the driver was suspected to be operating her vehicle while on depressants.

For our Poway car accident lawyers, this cannot just be another case of an intoxicated driver that kills a person on the road and then story is forgotten.  This case, as with any involving a wrongful death at the hands of an inebriated driver, should be used to show why we need better DUI prevention technology on cars.

As Serious Accidents reported late last year, single mother of two, 36, was walking along side a Poway road around 7 a.m. when she was fatally struck by another woman, 45. The woman in question stands trial on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and could receive a sentence of 15 years in prison.

But what’s really disconcerting is that fact that the woman had two prior arrests for DUI from Minnesota, dating back to 1998 and 1999.  Why was no system put in place on her car — at the woman in question’s expense — to ensure that no matter what state she was driving in that at least she was sober?  Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has to stop, but our San Diego accident lawyers know that it never will unless it cannot be physically done.

For those convicted of drunk-driving, breathalyzers should placed in the car and these drivers should be required to take a sobriety test on it every time they turn the ignition in their car.  And for those who are on drugs, a similar test should be applied to ensure that they are clean and sober enough to operate a moving vehicle.  We have the technology, so why doesn’t the law require its use more often to prevent DUIs from occurring?

If you were injured and believe that you deserve compensation, then call our bilingual law offices right away at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer and find out how we can help you.  We look forward to providing good advice for your case.  There is no fee if no recovery.

Your Take

How should we monitor drivers convicted of DUI for drugs when they are allowed back on the road?