The report states that while alcohol-related driving fatalities remained steady during the 10-year study period, fatalities from "non-alcohol" drugs increased from 16.6 percent in 1999 to 28.3 percent in 2010
New York, N.Y (PRWEB) March 14, 2014
The prevalence of drugs detected in fatally injured drivers in the United States has been steadily rising and has tripled from 1999 to 2010 for drivers who tested positive for marijuana, according to a report released on Jan. 30 by the Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The report states that while alcohol-related driving fatalities remained steady during the 10-year study period, fatalities from "non-alcohol" drugs increased from 16.6 percent in 1999 to 28.3 percent in 2010. For marijuana, the rates rose from 4.2 percent to 12.2 percent during that same period, the report states.
The study found that the substantial increase in the prevalence of marijuana was reported for all age groups and both sexes. The report states that over the last 17 years, 20 states and Washington D.C. have enacted laws that legalize medical marijuana. Marijuana for recreational use is legal in two states – Colorado and Washington.
With marijuana legalization gaining momentum nationwide, the findings of this study are definitely grounds for concern, said New York personal injury lawyer Kenneth A. Wilhelm. "Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and local law enforcement agencies have done a tremendous job over the last decade creating awareness and educating the public about the dangers of drunk driving. But, clearly more work needs to be done on creating awareness about drugged driving. This report is a well timed reminder for us to pay more attention to this important issue."
Currently, most law enforcement agencies do not have a proper mechanism to test drivers for marijuana intoxication, Wilhelm says. "While drunk drivers are easily tested with breath or blood tests, there are no instruments that are commonly in use to test a driver who is impaired by marijuana. It is essential for law enforcement officials to have a standard and consistent test for detecting this type of impairment. Testing is a critical component when it comes to determining fault and liability in DUI collisions."
About the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm
The Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm is a personal injury litigation firm with an unwavering dedication to its clients. With more than 42 years of experience, our firm strives to obtain the best compensation for those who have been injured or those who have lost a loved one due to an accident or by someone else's negligence. We handle cases dealing with personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, train accidents, workers' compensation, dental malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rape, paralysis, comas, seizures, false arrest, lead poisoning, trips and slips and falls, falls on sidewalks or stairs, elevator accidents, construction accidents, Erb's palsy, cerebral palsy, brain damage, blindness, hearing loss, dog bite cases, fire and smoke inhalation accidents, bicycle accidents, falls from windows or scaffolds, food poisoning injuries, carbon monoxide accidents, and many other types of accidents and injuries.
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