Two people were killed recently when their car was struck by a speeding vehicle that blew through a red light in Houston, according to News Channel 10. The victims were preparing to pull out of a gas station when they were hit. Police said the red-light runner was under the influence of the drug PCP at the time.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, laws dealing with drugged driving have lagged behind those covering drunken driving, simply because alcohol is more widely used and the dangers of drinking and driving are more easily recognized. But a driver who is under the influence of drugs poses a risk to everyone on the road.
Tracking cases of drugged driving is difficult, because testing for drug intoxication isn’t as simple as a breath test on the side of the road.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 National Roadside Survey, more than 16 percent of weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter medications. More than 11 percent tested positive for illicit drugs. Another NHTSA study found that in 2009, among fatally injured drivers, 18 percent tested positive for at least one drug (e.g., illicit, prescription, or over-the-counter), an increase from 13 percent in 2005. Together, these indicators are a sign that continued substance abuse education, prevention, and law enforcement efforts are critical to public health and safety.
In recent years, more attention has been given to drugs other than alcohol that have increasingly been recognized as hazards to road traffic safety. Some of this research has been done in other countries or in specific regions within the United States, and the prevalence rates for different drugs used vary accordingly. Overall, marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. Other drugs also implicated include benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines.
Houston Accident and Wrongful Death Attorney
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident involving a driver who was using drugs or alcohol, you may be able to recover damages. The Houston wrongful death attorney Kevin Krist can help you obtain justice. The Law Office of Kevin Krist has obtained compensation for accident victims throughout southeast Texas. When injury or death happens through the negligent actions of another person, you need an advocate in the legal system. Contact attorney Kevin Krist to discuss your case. Call 281-677-3962 now.
