Marijuana is a legalized drug, along with this, it should be understood that with this fact also increases the number of injuries and deaths caused by drivers who get behind the wheel under the influence of marijuana or other narcotic substances. Road accidents caused by the uncontrolled use of narcotic substances can have tragic consequences, road users and pedestrians can be injured. Nearly half of drivers killed in car crashes were under the influence of drugs, with marijuana and opioids the most common drugs in their system. The indicator of number of drivers whose bodies have been found to contain marijuana and opioids is actively growing.
The National Institute on Substance Abuse reported that in 2018, about 12.6 million drivers over the age of 16 drove under the influence of drugs. Car accidents involving drugged drivers can result in catastrophic, life-changing injuries because the drivers are unable to adequately control the traffic. If you were involved in a car accident caused by a drug-addicted driver, you have every right to receive appropriate financial compensation. A California car accident lawyer can help you start a lawsuit and obtain adequate financial compensation for the physical and psychological injuries you have sustained as a result of a car accident.
Fines and penalties are usually at the discretion of the court. If you were involved in an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please contact drug defense attorneys. When you are injured because of another driver’s drug addiction, you have the right to hold that driver accountable and receive appropriate financial compensation. An experienced team of auto accident attorneys can help you recover compensation for your physical and emotional damages, including medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering. The consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol are among the most serious problems related to the phenomenon of road safety. Every year, thousands of people lose their lives from drug and alcohol intoxication on the roads and even more suffer serious injuries.
Studies show that even a small amount of alcohol can impair the ability to drive a vehicle, reduce reaction speed and impair coordination of movements. The more you drink, the more it affects your brain, slowing you down and often leading to drunk driving accidents. There are serious legal consequences for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don’t forget it’s a crime If you’re caught driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, you can be fined, have your license revoked, or even go to jail. The key consequence of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a significant decrease in the speed of your reaction to the road situation and the coordination of your movements behind the wheel of a car. Various narcotic substances adversely affect your brain, impairing your ability to drive properly without endangering other road users and pedestrians. Different situations depend on your ability to react quickly to danger, such as the distance to another vehicle, the reaction time to unforeseen circumstances, etc.
Table of Contents
The Hazards of Drunk Drivers: Endangering Road Users and Pedestrians
Visual and Cognitive Impairments
One of the first key consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is impaired visual and cognitive function. Various types of narcotic substances affect the brain and lead to impaired concentration, reaction speed, and coordination. As a result, the driver may not notice road signs and signals, cannot accurately estimate the speed and distance of other cars, and cannot quickly react to various dangerous situations that may arise on the road at any moment.
At night, drivers should be more attentive and careful than during the day. Driving in the dark reduces the driver’s reaction to the road situation and increases his reaction time. Many drivers feel some discomfort (anxiety, fear, confusion) while driving in the dark. Most night traffic accidents involve vehicles and pedestrians, often with serious consequences. The main role in ensuring road traffic safety is played by the concentration of the driver’s attention, which consists of his sober state. Simple tips for safe driving at night:
- Turn on the dipped beam before dawn;
- The speed of movement should be such that, in case of emergency braking, the braking distance does not exceed the visible distance to the vehicle driving in front of you;
- If your car does not have automatic headlight adjustment, adjust the headlights yourself before driving at night;
- Do not dazzle drivers passing your vehicle. When approaching the driver of another vehicle, switch the headlights from high beam to low beam;
- When you’re driving on unfamiliar roads at night, consider the fact that every turn is dangerous. At night, the viewing angle of the road and the accuracy of detecting other vehicles on the road are significantly reduced.
When driving in the dark, drivers must follow one key, very important rule: the driving speed in the dark should always be lower than during the day. Attention pedestrians! Pedestrians should be extremely careful at night. Also, remember that in the dark, drivers may not see you and may not have time to react properly. Before crossing the road, make sure there is no traffic on the road, even if there is a crosswalk. Fog lights must illuminate both sides of the road. For long journeys on winding mountain or forest roads, fog lights can be used in combination with high beams. To ensure that your vehicle’s lighting system is working properly, it should provide maximum visibility with minimal head turning while driving. You will notice that drivers turn on the car’s ambient lighting differently at dusk. Most experienced drivers do this in advance, as soon as it gets dark. Turn on the high beams as soon as dusk begins. If darkness has fallen in the city, and the street lights are still not lit, it is advisable to turn on the low beam of the headlights. Use a dipped beam only when moving. If you decide to overtake, turn on the main beam, but only when you start to overtake the car.
Drunk driving is an extremely important component of safe road traffic for all people (other road users and pedestrians). Every driver must understand that the safety of himself, his passengers, other road users, and other people on the street depend on his attentiveness, attention, and responsibility. The key causes of traffic accidents are related to driving a car under the influence of drugs, or alcohol, road accidents also occur due to numerous violations of current traffic rules, as well as driver inattention. Careless driving, diverting the driver’s attention from the road to a smartphone, food, music, or other unimportant things can lead to tragic consequences. Especially dangerous are speed, aggressive driving, and consumption of narcotic substances and alcohol before driving a car. Careful driving means constant attention and vigilance on the road, planning maneuvers in advance, and taking into account the weather and road conditions that have developed at the moment on the road.
Underestimation of Risks and Increase in Aggressiveness
When a person is in a state of drug intoxication, such a person’s level of risk perception may decrease. This leads to the fact that the driver can make various reckless decisions on the road, such as speeding, running a red light, and ignoring road signs and signals. In addition, narcotic substances can lead to increased aggressiveness and loss of self-control, which can affect the driver’s behavior on the road and create danger not only for him but also for other people.
The entire world is currently experiencing another epidemic in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemic of using a smartphone behind the wheel of a car while driving. Gadgets have become our best friends. The world moves so fast that drivers regularly respond to urgent e-mails or browse Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other social networks, exposing themselves, their passengers, drivers, and other road users to a significant danger. The World Health Organization lists careless driving as a risk factor for road accidents, along with speeding, not using seat belts or child seats, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Despite the high risk of road accidents, a large number of drivers do not properly assess the extent of smartphone use while driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving, such as talking on the phone, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, and browsing social media. All the listed actions are dangerous. Drivers who text or read messages while driving are 20 times more likely to be involved in an accident than drivers who are not distracted by their smartphones while driving. Should you use a smartphone while driving a car, also, in no case should you get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, because your concentration and attention should be at the highest possible level.
Legal Advice and Legal Assistance of Lawyers on Road Accident Issues for Road Accident Participants
Traffic accidents are extremely complex situations that can have serious consequences for all parties involved. In most cases, there is a need for legal assistance after a traffic accident, and this is where traffic accident lawyers can provide valuable legal assistance, help obtain financial compensation or prove the innocence of a participant in a traffic accident that occurred. After the occurrence of a road accident, first of all, it is necessary to establish the cause and the culprit. A car accident attorney can help uncover the evidence needed to resolve these issues. For example, it can help collect witness statements, photograph the scene of a road accident from different angles, and get valuable recordings from video recorders and other evidence. Also, a traffic accident lawyer can prepare the documents necessary for filing a claim with an insurance company or a court. If you have been involved in a car accident, a car accident lawyer can help you get financial compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of a car accident that was not your fault. You have the right to receive financial compensation for the medical costs of your treatment and recovery after a road accident, loss of work due to treatment, damage to your car, and so on. A traffic accident lawyer will help you gather the necessary evidence and submit appropriate applications to the insurance company or the court to receive compensation. It is important to note that some insurance companies may try to reduce payouts for damages, so an experienced car accident attorney can help you protect your rights and receive fair financial compensation. Also, a qualified car accident attorney can help you avoid making any mistakes that could affect your legal position.
