I know you have heard all the stories of people being killed by drunk drivers. You may know someone who has been killed or who was behind the wheel after drinking. You may even have one of those 'breath-a-lizers' put into your car to make sure you are sober before driving the vehicle. But I am interested in letting you know of the newest trend - drugged driving. In all honesty, it is very similar to drunk driving, but it refers to being under the influence of drugs while operating a vehicle.
It has been within the past twenty-five years that there has been a concerted effort to stop drunk driving, so it only seems fit that a new prevalent cause would spring up (NIDA). Drugged driving, much like drunk driving, is a huge public safety risk. In both instances, one's motor skills, reaction time and judgement may be impaired (NIDA). It is important to mention, though, that unlike alcohol, drugged driving is much harder to enforce because of the lack of technology. Unlike alcohol being traceable with an easy test of a person's BAC (blood alcohol content), determining current drug levels are a little more difficult (NIDA). Regardless of it being more difficult to trace and a little harder to notice, drugged driving is a growing problem on the road ways, and little, known steps have been made like they have for drunk driving.
I would like to just give you a few statistics so you can understand this problem - that isn't so much as growing, but is not talked about, at all. Just so you know:
It has been within the past twenty-five years that there has been a concerted effort to stop drunk driving, so it only seems fit that a new prevalent cause would spring up (NIDA). Drugged driving, much like drunk driving, is a huge public safety risk. In both instances, one's motor skills, reaction time and judgement may be impaired (NIDA). It is important to mention, though, that unlike alcohol, drugged driving is much harder to enforce because of the lack of technology. Unlike alcohol being traceable with an easy test of a person's BAC (blood alcohol content), determining current drug levels are a little more difficult (NIDA). Regardless of it being more difficult to trace and a little harder to notice, drugged driving is a growing problem on the road ways, and little, known steps have been made like they have for drunk driving.
I would like to just give you a few statistics so you can understand this problem - that isn't so much as growing, but is not talked about, at all. Just so you know:
- In 2007, one in eight weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illicit drugs (Whitehouse)
- According to NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health), 10.5 million people aged sixteen and older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the year prior to being surveyed (NIDA)
- Rates were the highest in Rhode Island (7.8%) and Vermont (6.6%)
- Rates were the lowest in New Jersey (3.2%) and Iowa (2.9%) (SAMHSA)
- 34% of motor vehicle crash victims admitted to a Maryland trauma center tested positive for 'drugs only' and 9.9% tested positive for drugs and alcohol (NIDA)
- Drugs, other than alcohol, are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths - usually in combination with alcohol (CDC)
- Two-thirds (66.2%) of drugged drivers drove under the influence of illicit drugs and alcohol at the same time (SAMHSA)
- Driving under the influence of an illicit drug or alcohol is associated with age
- 16 or 17 year old: 6.3% drove under the influence of illicit drugs and/or alcohol whereas the rate went to 24.8% of ages 21 - 25
- The rates declined as the ages increased after 25 (NIDA)
Along with drunk driving statistics, youth seem to be the most apt to be drugged and driving. The most common types of drugs abused while driving, for teens, are alcohol, illicit drugs - mainly marijuana, and prescription drugs (Whitehouse). Teens, ultimately are the least experienced drivers as well, coupled with this increased chance of impaired driving - an accident is waiting to happen. But there are a few states that have implemented some type of policy to help combat this overlooked issue.
Seventeen states, Rhode Island included, "have passed 'per se' laws in which it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle if there is any detectable level of a prohibited drug, or its metabolites, in the driver's blood" (NIDA). Of the seventeen with these laws, according to NSDUH, only two of them are ranked with in the top ten of the highest rates of drugged driving whereas only four are within the bottom ten (SAMHSA). It is important to note that forty-four states, plus DC, have implemented Drug Evaluation and Classification Programs meant to train police officials as 'Drug Recognition Experts' (NIDA). So even though the amount of policy or drugged driving is low, there are steps being taken to lower the rates.
In case you were not aware, December is the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention month. The month is meant to celebrate life and keeping drugs and alcohol out from behind the wheel (US Dept of Justice). Also, there are quite a few other programs meant to lower drunk and drugged driving. it is important to diminish this issue - and the main way to do so is to inform. Teens and parents need to be informed of the signs of drugged driving, drugs, and what potentially could happen if drugged and driving. Adults, also, who are not parents should be informed as well.
You may not be driving the car, but you can just as easily be the victim. Inform people of drugged driving and possibly save a life - it could be yours. (Below are the responding links throughout the blog. Please check them out!)
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving. NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse. Published December 2010.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/issues-content/drugged_driving_toolkit.pdf. White House. Office of National Drug Policy - Toolkit.
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k12/NSDUH109/SR109StateEstDrunkDrugDriving2012.htm. SAMHSA, NSDUH. Published May 31, 2012.
http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Impaired_Driving/index.html. CDC. October 4, 2011.
http://blogs.justice.gov/main/archives/489. The United States Department of Justice. Published December 22, 2009.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/impaireddriving/prevention.html. National Criminal Justice Reference Center.
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