New Study Finds Drugs Surpassing Alcohol As the Road’s Biggest Danger

 Posted on June 06, 2018 in Car Accidents

A recent study conducted by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association concluded that prescription and illegal drugs have surpassed alcohol as the most deadly substance on the road. The newly released report, which began development in 2016, found that 38% of all drivers killed throughout the United States in 2016 had levels of alcohol in their system. More concerning, however, was the fact that an incredible 44% of all drivers killed tested positive for opioids, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

Many law enforcement officials see the problem as a combination of liberal marijuana laws and a nationwide increase in opioid abuse. Regardless, one thing is certain: drugs have become a massive issue within the realm of highway safety. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is paramount that you receive the legal and medical help your family deserves.

Impairment in Illinois

Here in the state of Illinois, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has always been an issue. In a nine-year span from 2003 to 2012, just under 4,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents. In 2015 alone, more than 300 people died due to drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.

Like most states throughout the nation, Illinois is currently dealing with an incredibly concerning drug-use driving crisis. The state passed drug impairment laws in 2016 as a means of responding to the decriminalization of marijuana possession throughout the state. Still, identifying drivers under the influence of marijuana, opioids, or other dangerous substances can be incredibly difficult for law enforcement officials.

Why Is Impaired Driving On the Rise?

Despite frequent sobriety checks, increased measures for testing for driver impairment, and other actions taken to limit impaired drivers, the issue of drugged driving is seemingly on the rise. Much of the problem can be attributed to the difficulties of recognizing some types of impairment. Recently, an American woman under the influence of sedatives and painkillers interacted with police officials after she was involved in a minor fender bender. Unable to recognize that the woman was impaired, the officer let her go. Less than 20 minutes later, the driver caused a fatal motor vehicle accident. This tragedy and many others like it highlight the difficulty of recognizing certain types of impairment and the corresponding difficulty of dealing with the problem nationwide.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Lawyer

Despite the best efforts by our dedicated law enforcement officials, impaired drivers still put all of us in danger. If you or a member of your family have been involved in a motor vehicle collision, contact the experienced Waukegan personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. today. Call our office at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2016/08/02/new-illinois-law-defines-stoned-driving

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/06/01/marijuana-opioid-fatal-crashes/

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pdf/impaired_driving/Drunk_Driving_in_IL.pdf