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Car Accidents Caused by Drivers Under the Influence of Drugs

The National Center for Statistics and Analysis, which is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), states that although 2008 was record setting in terms of fewer fatalities being reported, 37,261 people still died in motor vehicle accidents. While that is good news overall, that's still 37,261 more people that should not have died. Furthermore, 11,773 of these people (or 32 percent of the total figure) were driving under the influence of drugs, whether alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs.

We usually tend to think of Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated as alcohol-related problems and the majority of reckless vehicle accidents do involve drunk drivers. However, auto accidents can also be caused by prescription or OTC medications. The Re-Think Mental Illness explains Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act of 1988 stating that the law "does not differentiate between illegal or prescribed drugs, as it's the effect they have upon your ability to drive which is the concern."

That sentiment goes along with About.com's article, written by Carol & Richard Eustice and reviewed by the Medical Review Board, which stated that some prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause intoxicating effects (or DUI by medication). Some of the most common reactions of medication can include:

• Sleepiness
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Slowed movement
• Fainting
• Inability to focus or pay attention
• Nausea

Ever since 2002, it has been illegal in all 50 U.S. states to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. Interestingly though, a recent scientific study by Menzin, Lang and Levy concluded that "a medication that produces mild impairment in driving performance (a change of 2.5 cm in standard deviation of a vehicle's lateral position, equivalent to 0.05 percent blood alcohol concentration) would increase motor vehicle accident risk by 25 percent." Therefore, we learn that not only can using medication be dangerous in general, but it can also reach equivalency levels of what we know as blood alcohol content.

The About.com article continues to dispense advice, telling patients who are using medications known to cause drowsiness that they should consult a doctor before venturing out on the road. More importantly, they should know better than to drive when they are feeling drowsy after taking a dosage of medication-medication that explicitly warns users of driving-impairing symptoms. This is what is called DUI by drugs.

Therefore, if a person ventures out onto the road and causes a car accident because of DUI by drugs then there is no real difference between drunk driving and impairment driving. The medication user is not a victim-the motorist who suffered the collision is the victim. The patient who needs these drugs does have a physical condition but this does not entitle him to break the law and to drive DUI by medication while operating a motor vehicle.

If you have been injured because of someone else's negligence on the road and she is trying to blame the medication for the car accident, know that this is not a legal excuse. You may be entitled to a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. Before agreeing to any deal with an individual or company, contact a lawyer. We have an extensive background in this area and will provide you with a Free Initial Consultation. Talk to the Rasansky Law Firm at 1-877-405-4313 and find out about your rights as a sober motorist!

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