Driving under the influence of alcohol on its own is dangerous enough, but when a person drives under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, there is an even more dangerous impact on his ability to drive safely. A new analysis of previous studies that have focused on the effect of a combination of alcohol and drugs on a person’s ability to drive safely underscores what safety advocates have always known – that drugs combined with alcohol is a potent auto accident risk.
The analysis of more than 57 previous studies was published recently in the journal Addiction. The researchers were specifically looking at studies that proved a link between a combination of alcohol and drugs on traffic safety.
According to the analysis, the combination of drugs and alcohol has a much more severe and detrimental impact on a person’s ability to drive safely, compared to the influence of only alcohol or only drugs. What is interesting is that the review underscores the different kinds of impact that alcohol and drugs can have on a person’s ability to drive safely. Alcohol, for instance, encourages impulsive and rash driving behaviors like speeding, that significantly increase the risk of being involved in an accident. Drugs, however, do not encourage speeding. In fact, persons driving under the influence of drugs may actually drive slowly, but that does not mean that they are driving safely. Dangerous driving behaviors like veering from the lane are very common when a person is driving under the influence of drugs.
Proponents of legalization of marijuana say that legalization actually makes for a safer traffic environment because people who take drugs are much more likely to be aware of the situation and take steps to prevent an accident. Several studies now prove that this may not be true at all. In fact, any beneficial effects of driving under the influence of marijuana, like driving slowly, are cancelled out when marijuana is accompanied by alcohol while at the wheel.
Safety advocates say that it is important for states that are considering legalizing marijuana to monitor the impact of this legalization on traffic safety numbers. In states that have legalized the use of weed, for instance, there has been an increase in the number of accidents related to drugged driving. Advocates say that it is important to consider all aspects of legalization, including the impact of such an action on traffic safety, before such measures are adopted
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent persons who have suffered injuries as a result of car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to an attorney at our law firm and discuss your legal options to a claim. You may be eligible for compensation that includes medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and other types of damages. Talk to an attorney at our law firm and discuss your rights.