Drugged driving is a growing problem in America, and both public awareness and policy are lagging behind those for drunken driving, a researcher said.
Drugged driving is a growing problem in America, and both public awareness and policy are lagging behind those for drunken driving, a researcher said. Andrew Yockey, an assistant professor of public health at the University of Mississippi, said drugged driving can be just as deadly as alcohol-impaired driving.
And legalization has contributed to more drivers testing positive for THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.Other substances, especially opioids and stimulants, along with broader shifts in drug-use patterns, also play major roles, Yockey said. “It's this kind of interweaving of relaxed laws, meets ever-changing drug landscape, meeting ... people's perceptions,” he said.that found the share of drug-tested drivers killed in crashes with drugs in their systems jumped from about 20% to about 30% over a decade.At the same time, access to cannabis has opened up, with nearly every state allowing at least some level of medical use. Nearly half of the states have now legalized both recreational and medical use of marijuana, according to theYet people don’t think driving after using cannabis is as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol. Over 80% of cannabis users admitted to driving just hours after using the drug, a recent survey from theBut Yockey said cannabis slows reaction time and affects spatial awareness. “Someone might ingest, I don't know, an edible, and they may think that it's safe to drive,” he said. “Well, obviously that's going to impair your judgment.”Stimulants, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, may lead to overconfidence and aggressive driving, he said. Unlike the clear legal limit of 0.08% blood-alcohol concentration for drunken driving, Yockey said states have a patchwork of laws to stop drugged driving.And many states have adopted zero-tolerance or THC “per se” limits, along with new tools like saliva testing.Cannabis presence doesn’t always equal impairment, he said.Better roadside tools to detect actual drug impairment will help make roads safer, Yockey said. But public education is also key, since many drivers underestimate the risks of drug use behind the wheel, he said.over a decade ago that’s “still not being talked about,” Yockey said. Yockey said drivers must realize that if they feel “different,” then they’re probably driving differently, too.
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Drugged driving warning: Laws, public perception lagging risk, expert saysDrugged driving is a growing problem in America, and both public awareness and policy are lagging behind those for drunken driving, a researcher said.
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Drugged driving warning: Laws, public perception lagging risk, expert saysDrugged driving is a growing problem in America, and both public awareness and policy are lagging behind those for drunken driving, a researcher said.
Read more »
Drugged driving warning: Laws, public perception lagging risk, expert saysDrugged driving is a growing problem in America, and both public awareness and policy are lagging behind those for drunken driving, a researcher said.
Read more »