Drugged driving to be addressed by the NHTSA

Motorists in California may be interested to know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to address the issue of driving while under the influence of drugs. As the number of drugged driving accidents is increasing and the legalization of marijuana and the nationwide opioid problem in the United States are on the minds of the public, safety advocates say action is needed.

According to the deputy administrator of the NHTSA, the issue of drugged driving can be addressed by using data and science. In an effort to start a national dialogue on the matter, the agency is holding a summit on March 15, 2018. The agency intends to create novel solutions that will make the roads safer and lower the number of fatalities that are caused by motor vehicle crashes.

The United States Department of Transportation has invited a number of significant stakeholders to help create a plan and make quantifiable steps to handle the drugged-driving issue affecting the country. These stakeholders include local and state elected officials, drug recognition specialists, policy and data specialists, criminal justice professionals, toxicologists and law enforcement.

During the summit, the participants are expected to evaluate the most effective ways to educate the public about the hazards of drugged driving and how driver impairment levels can be tested and assessed. They will also address the collection of reliable data, the enforcement of DUID laws and the tracking of DUIDs.

An individual who has been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver may have legal recourse. A personal injury attorney can advise clients of their legal options, which may include pursuing financial damages against the negligent parties. Drivers could be held financially liable for hit-and-run accidents or head-on collisions caused by drunk driving, texting and driving, distracted driving, speeding or driving while under the influence of drugs.