Americans are well aware of the terrible consequences of
drunk driving and are familiar with the many successful drinking and driving
awareness campaigns. With the dramatic increase of handheld phones and personal
devices, campaigns and laws targeting talking or texting while driving have
also gained prominence. Yet an often overlooked issue, especially among teens
and young adults, is drugged driving.
A nationally representative survey by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that in 2007, approximately 1 in 8
weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for illicit drugs. Worse yet, a 2010
study by NHTSA revealed that 1 in 3 fatally injured drivers, who were tested
for substance use and the results known, tested positive for an illicit drug or
medication with the ability to impair at the time of the crash.
The risks are even greater for teens, who, due to their
inexperience, are already more likely to be involved in a crash compared with
more experienced drivers. When this lack of experience is combined with the use
of substances that may alter perception, cognition, reaction time, and other
faculties, the results can be tragic.
The statistics are alarming regarding drugged driving in the
teenage demographic. Among high school seniors in 2011, approximately 1 in 8
reported that in the two weeks prior to the survey interview they had driven
after smoking marijuana – more than reported driving after consuming alcohol.
Across age groups, the rate of driving under the influence of illicit drugs in
2011 was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 at 11.6 percent.
At Hunter Insurance, our main priority is ensuring the
safety of you and your loved ones. For more information on how you can help
protect your family, call Hunter Insurance at 401.769.9500.
