According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, a combination of alcohol, marijuana or any other drugs can impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle because they diminish coordination, judgment, and reaction time. A driver who has been using cocaine or methamphetamine or a combination of the two is likely to drive aggressively. That’s what happened in a fatal crash in November of 2019when someone under the influence of methamphetamine in Tampa killed another driver when he lost control of his vehicle at a high speed.
Then, there are prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that can cause extreme drowsiness. That’s apparently what happened in January 2020 when a 40-year-old woman crashed into the back of another car.
The crash occurred around 8:00 a.m. in Tampa on Interstate 4. When traffic stopped, the woman failed to slow down or stop, and she crashed into one car that was propelled into another one. A witness had reportedly called 911 to report the woman who was allegedly driving erratically. When Florida State Police arrived on the scene, the woman was reportedly unsteady, had red eyes and droopy eyelids. She was placed under arrest and taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital where it was reported that she would repeatedly fall asleep, complain about a high level of pain and fall asleep again. She was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs. The use of narcotic analgesics and anti-depressants is suspected.
The Lack Of Uniform Drugged Driving Tests
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) drug impaired driving is becoming increasingly common across the country. As opposed to driving under the influence of alcohol, there is no uniform standardized test for driving under the influence of drugs. That makes is difficult to identify drugged drivers during traffic stops. The NTSB has asked for written standards for devices to be used for purposes of roadside drugged driving testing, but there isn’t anything that is consistently used across the country like breath testing devices for suspected drunk driving cases.
Injured By A Drugged Driver? Call Hancock Injury Attorneys
Driving under the influence of drugs is just as serious as driving under the influence of alcohol. If you were injured or lost a loved one as a result of a drugged driver, Tampa Car Accident Lawyersas soon as possible to arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation. We’ll be pleased to answer your questions and advise you on all of your legal options.
Hancock Injury Attorneys has been representing clients in Tampa and surrounding communities for over thirty years. If you were recently involved in an accident and would like to talk to a legal professional, then drop us a line. You can contact us online or call us at (813) 915-1110 to schedule your free case consultation today.