drugged driving

Yet another study indicates increased car accident risks when people are driving under the influence of drugs.A new study that has just been published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs has found that a quarter of about 44,000 American drivers, who were involved in fatal accidents between 1998 and 2009, had drugs in their system at the time of the accident.

The researchers analyzed data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.They found that in approximately a quarter of the fatal accidents during this period of time, the motorist tested positive for drugs, while 37% had blood-alcohol levels greater than the .08% legally allowed limit.The most common drugs that were involved in fatal accidents were amphetamines, marijuana and cocaine. One of the first thing Car accident attorneys look for in any wrongful death accident is the involvement of drugs or alcohol.

Certain drugs seem to be linked to certain kinds of reckless driving practices.For instance, stimulants were linked to most wrongful death accidents, especially those that involve speeding, inattention, and failure to obey traffic laws.Stimulants were also linked to accidents in which occupants were not wearing seat belts.On the other hand, marijuana was most often linked to failure to wear seatbelts, and driving at excessive speeds.

Atlanta truck accident lawyers have been aware for a while now that federal trucking safety laws governing drug and alcohol use by truck drivers have far too many loopholes that allow a truck driver with a drug use history, to slip through.The new bill would plug these loopholes, essentially weeding out drug users from the system. Truck accidents generally result in severe personal injuries and a wrongful death. When these accidents involve a truck driver who has been using drugs or alcohol, the outcome is not only tragic, but preventable.

The legislation, called the Safe Roads Act, has been introduced by US Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman.The legislation would implement the recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office, advising the establishment of a driver test database.The database would contain information about positive drug test results from commercial truck and bus drivers from around the country.

The database can be used by trucking companies before they hire a prospective employee.Doctors, trucking companies and service agents would be required to furnish updated and accurate information about positive drug test results.With accurate, reliable and frequently updated information available, trucking companies would be able to make safe hiring decisions, thereby reducing the risk of trucking accidents involving one of their vehicles.

Articles Tagged with drugged driving

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