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New study finds drugged driving more dangerous than drunk driving

On Behalf of | May 4, 2017 | Car Accidents |

Any time a person who is impaired by drugs or alcohol gets behind the wheel in Marietta, they are putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. While drunk driving is a pervasive problem in this country and is given much attention by law enforcement and the media, the issue of drugged driving has flown mostly under the radar.

A controversial new study has found that more people who were killed in car accidents in 2015 were on drugs than were under the influence of alcohol. Some are crying foul and calling this conclusion misleading since of those killed, only 57 percent were even tested for drugs. The practice of testing drivers for drugs varies from state to state. Of the people who tested positive for drugs, 9 percent showed amphetamine usage. Marijuana was the most common drug found, showing up on 35 percent of the positive tests.

Overall, 37 percent of fatalities in the study involved alcohol, compared to 43 percent, which involved drugs. However, despite these findings, many believe that drunk driving is still a bigger problem and are concerned that these results could divert attention from fighting that battle.

Unfortunately, many people make the choice to drive when they are not sober and the result is often devastating. Serious injures and deaths are all too common. Those whose lives have been affected by an accident involving a drugged or drunk driver may wish to contact an experienced attorney.

Source: CNN, “Drugged driving surpasses drunken driving in deadly crashes, report finds,” Robert Jimison, April 28, 2017

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