Drugs, like cocaine and marijuana, are involved in around 18 percent of all motor vehicle collisions leading to a driver’s death. Interestingly, 2014 statistics reported that 10.1 million people reported that they had been driving while under the influence of drugs in that year. That statistic only looks at illicit drugs, not the potential for prescription medications in the blood, which could also lead to impairment in some cases.
In Mother’s Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD’s) latest statistics from 2014, 16 percent of the drivers who were involved in crashes with fatalities were found to be intoxicated, compared to around 29 percent on the weekends. The interesting fact is that the average drunk driver has been behind the wheel while intoxicated around 80 times in the past before an arrest. It’s more likely for males to be caught drinking and driving.
Keep in mind that impairment has little to do with the type of drink a person has and more to do with the amount of alcohol in that drink and how the person’s body metabolizes it.
If you’re accused of a DUI, be aware that it doesn’t always refer to drinking alcohol and driving. You can be accused of a DUI for driving while influenced by prescription medications or illicit drugs as well. It’s in your best interests to fight any charges, regardless of what you’re accused of. Your future could be at stake; if you’re convicted, your reputation will be damaged and you may have to deal with heavy fines and time in jail. Other penalties may also be possible in some cases.
Source: MADD, “Fight Back Against Misinformation. Get the Facts.,” accessed April 26, 2018