According to many, drugged driving is increasingly becoming a problem on the roads both in the Kansas City area and in the rest of the country.
Indeed, drugged driving presents some special challenges to law enforcement officers who, to some extent, are still learning to respond. These challenges are becoming even more pronounced as many states legalize even recreational marijuana consumption and, all over the country, the social acceptance of this drug grows.
For one, while law enforcement training in spotting drunk drivers has become quite streamlined, there still is room to train more officers in how to recognize drugged drivers when they encounter them.
Moreover, chemical testing will have to be refined since many drugs, including marijuana, can linger in a person’s system for days or even weeks after the high has worn off.
These ongoing issues with drugged driving is one reason why the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, or NHTSA, has launched a nationwide advertising campaign that will run through the Labor Day weekend.
The campaign’s goal is to help the public realize that drugged driving is just as dangerous ad drunk driving, and the hope is that this and other messages will turn back the recent increase in traffic deaths. Many see a direct correlation between this rise in fatalities and the increased prevalence of drugged driving.
Another means of holding drugged drivers accountable if they cause an auto accident is through a personal injury case alleging negligence. In addition to holding a driver accountable, this type of lawsuit can also provide a victim with much needed help paying medical bills and covering their other losses.
