With a nation in the midst of an opioid epidemic and increased marijuana legalization, what is being done to prevent drug-impaired drivers (DUIDs) from getting behind the wheel? There are clear processes in place for testing drivers who may be impaired by alcohol, but while driving under the influence of drugs is illegal in all 50 states, what is being done to enforce the law?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced a new initiative to fight drugged driving, which is becoming a prevalent safety issue in the United States. The organization is hosting a summit in March 2018 to begin a national conversation and call-to-action on this subject. The summit will bring elected officials, law enforcement, toxicologists, data and policy experts, and other key stakeholders together with the United States Department of Transportation to create a course of action and measurable steps towards combatting this growing problem.
The conversation will include discussion of best practices for public education regarding the risks associated with drug-impaired driving, strategies for collecting consistent data and tracking DUIDs, ways to test/measure driver impairment levels, and how to enforce DUID laws.
A report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility showed that positive drug tests were more common than alcohol presence in fatally injured drivers who were tested in 2015. 45% of the deceased motorists in the report had drugs in their system when they died.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
