The number of American individuals who are killed in vehicle accidents in which drugs were detected by at least one party has surpassed those individuals killed in crashes where only alcohol was identified. These drugged driving accidents can lead to critical injuries.

 

A new research report from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association and The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility identified that drugs of all types including prescription as well as illegal drugs were found in more than 40% of crashes in 2015, where test results were available. This is compared with 37% of those crashes in which someone tested positive for alcohol. The Governor’s Association uses this report to call for increased law enforcement capabilities to detect drugged drivers.

 

A breathalyzer test is used to detect drunk drivers, but there is no roadside standard test that could be used to detect most drugs. The California Highway Patrol has already increased training opportunities and by the end of the year, anticipates that all their law enforcement officers will be trained to detect drugs besides alcohol when stopping drivers suspected of impaired driving. Drugged driving is a complicated issue that raises a lot of serious legal questions.

 

If you or someone you know was recently been injured in an accident in which drugged driving was suspected to be the cause of that accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation that can assist you with recovering from the devastating injuries tied to these types of accidents. Drugged driving should never happen, but given that recent research indicates that it is even surpassing the number of fatal crashes involving alcohol; it is important to protect yourself and consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.