Drugged Driving on the Rise

New data shows that for the first time ever, drivers killed in car crashes are more likely to be on drugs than under the influence of alcohol.

According to a report released recently by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, forty-three percent of drivers tested in fatal crashes in 2015 had used a legal or illegal drug, surpassing the 37 percent who tested above the legal limit for alcohol.

More than a third of the drivers who tested positive for drugs had used marijuana and more than 9 percent had taken amphetamines. Read More

According to the GHSA, there are over 400 drugs that are tracked by NHTSA that can cause impairment, and each one has a different impact on every user. GHSA Issues
However, the dramatic increase in drugged driving coincides with more permissive state laws related to the use of marijuana, as well as the growing opioid epidemic which is devastating large portions of the U.S.

Medical use of marijuana is now allowed in 29 states and the District of Columbia; 17 states permit its use in some medical circumstances; use has been decriminalized in 21 states; and recreational use is allowed in eight states and D.C. Read More

Another recent study by the AAA showed a spike in fatal accidents specifically involving drivers high on pot. Watch News Video

What’s the solution to what seems to be a growing problem? The GHSA recommends increased training for law enforcement to detect drugged drivers. Unlike a Breathalyzer test to detect drunk driving, police say there is no standard roadside test to detect the majority of drugs. Read More

For more specific information on impaired driving, visit GHSA