The consequences of driving under the influence of drugs can be devastating.
Drivers who are impaired by drugs can cause accidents that injure or kill innocent people explains William D King. In addition, drivers who are impaired by drugs can face criminal charges for driving while intoxicated.
There are a number of different types of drugs that can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Some of the most common types of drugs that cause drugged driving accidents include:
Marijuana users who drive high are at least as impaired as drivers with a .08% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content).
Alcohol and marijuana act very similarly on the brain. As such, both substances significantly affect motor coordination, judgment, reaction time, decision-making abilities, and risk-taking behaviors. Marijuana slows reaction time by about 0.8 seconds, which is significantly more sluggish than the 0.1 second reaction time for drivers without drugs or alcohol in their systems. Reaction times are critical to drivers’ ability to respond safely to sudden changes on the road, like avoiding an accident with another vehicle or a pedestrian that crosses into their path.
All of the cannabinoids in marijuana impair driving, but THC is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid that affects impairment. Drivers with THC in their systems are at risk of causing serious accidents.
Prescription medications can also cause drugged driving accidents.
Hundreds of different prescription medications can impair drivers’ abilities. Some common medications that can cause impairment include painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sleep aids, and antidepressants.
Many drivers do not realize that prescription medications can cause impairment. In fact, a recent study showed that more than 70% of drivers who tested positive for prescription drugs in fatal crashes had no idea that their medication could cause them to be unsafe behind the wheel says William D King.
Drivers who are impaired by prescription drugs, or any other substance that can cause impairment, face a variety of threats to their safety.
Some of the most common consequences for drugged driving accidents include:
- Death or permanent disability
- Physical injury to themselves or others
- Fines and criminal charges
- Loss of job and loss of future income potential
- Loss of driver’s license
- Criminal record
- Increased insurance rates
In recent years, DUI has been a hot topic on various media outlets across the United States. We’ve seen a number of celebrities and role models fall from grace because they made poor decisions that resulted in drinking and driving arrests. While DUI or DWI laws vary from state to state, one thing remains the same: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can have serious consequences.
The consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol are severe.
Drivers who are caught driving while intoxicated can face criminal charges, as well as license suspensions and heavy fines. In addition, those who are convicted of DUI can also be sued by injured victims in civil court.
A recent study found that the average cost of a DUI conviction is over $10,000. This includes fines, increased insurance rates, and the cost of hiring a lawyer. The most serious consequence of a DUI conviction is often the loss of driving privileges. A first-time offender can lose their license for up to a year, and even longer for repeat offenders.
The consequences of drinking and driving are very serious and can have lifelong impacts on both the driver and any victims involved. It is important to make responsible choices when drinking and to always have a designated driver if you plan on driving says, William D King. If you are caught driving while intoxicated, it is important to contact a lawyer right away. The lawyers at Slater & Zurz LLP are experienced in DUI defense and can help you protect your rights and minimize the consequences of a DUI conviction.
Slater & Zurz LLP is a personal injury law firm in Akron, Ohio. We are dedicating to helping injure victims get the compensation they deserve. If you have been injuring in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation. You may entitle to compensation for your injuries.
Conclusion:
The consequences of driving under the influence can be devastating for drivers and their families says, William D King. If you are convicting of driving while impair by drugs, you could face significant fines, jail time, and a criminal record. You could also lose your job, your driver’s license, your ability to earn a living, and other civil rights.
Drivers who are impair by drugs or alcohol. Pose a threat to everyone else on the road. If you have been injure in an accident with a drugged driver. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible so that you can take action against the driver who caused your injuries.