Fewer Drunk Drivers, But More Drug Induced Drivers on the Road.
February 9, 2015
The number of drivers on the road with alcohol in their systems decreased by one-third since 2007, but a government report released this Friday found that there has been a large increase in drivers affected with marijuana and other illicit drugs.
The report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that drivers who have tested positive has declines by more than three-quarters since the agency first began conducting roadside surveys in 1973.
But the latest surveys conducted in 2013, and 2014 found that 22 percent drivers tested positive for at least one drug that could impact the drivers safety. However it includes illicit, prescription drugs and over the counter medications.
The anonymous surveys have been conducted across the country for at least 40 years, they gather data from drivers who agree to participate.
About 8 percent of drivers during weekend night time hours have were found to have some alcohol in their system, and 1.5 percent were found with .08 percent or higher breath alcohol content – the legal limit in every state. Drivers with any alcohol in their systems and drivers testing greater than .08 were both down by about 30 percent from the previous survey in 2007.
At the same time, more than 15 percent of drivers tested positive for at least one illicit drug, which increased by 12 percent from 2007. The number of drivers with marijuana in their systems grew by nearly 50 percent over the same period of time, 8.6 percent in 2007 ti 12.6 percent in 2014.
In my opinion drivers who have been drinking or using illicit as well as prescription drugs should be aware that they not only pose danger to themselves, but to others, even if they feel that they are capable of driving they shouldn’t because their reflexes, and judgment get impaired. Maybe in the future there will be grater protections against “drugged” driving such as quick efficient methods to test alcohol or drug levels in the body before a driver turns the ignition.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/fewer-drunk-drivers-road-government-says/
Jack77 • Feb 13, 2015 at 2:46 pm
I don’t understand why people separate alcohol and drugs; alcohol is a drug (even caffeine is). anyways good article!
kasagu • Feb 13, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Those drivers are threatening the other’s life. We need more laws about those drivers, especially on that drugged drivers. We need to be more responsible and think once more before taking such an action.
Nick07 • Feb 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm
I agree with what you posted, there has been less drunk drivers on the road, but more drivers under the influence of drugs. Drugs can be just as dangerous as alchohol sometimes more dangerous because they slow your reactions and your speed to process things. I think in the future cars will require a breath test before being able to turn the key, but there is no way the car could test for drugs on the spot. Thanks for sharing this post it was interesting.
Jeeper4Life • Feb 11, 2015 at 1:53 pm
i agree with with you that drugs and alcohol impairs people when driving and there reaction time is slower and their judgment are effected. It’s good that there was an decrease percentage of DUI drivers, but another thing that needs to decrease is people using drugs and then driving, which that’s really bad. But I’m also talking about over the counter drugs to, that makes you drowsy and then you get behind the wheel which that is really really bad. You would get into an car crash easily, and been been a proven fact that being sleepy while driving is the same thing as being drunk.
Dorito16 • Feb 10, 2015 at 2:16 pm
I think its about time people started using the “DD” or Designated Driver while drinking, but I agree drivers need to be more responsible with their decisions especially when they know they are under any type of narcotic that interferes with their right state of mind.
VMU • Feb 10, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Most of the people abuse on overdoses using drugs and that causes them to not be able drive or even to have a crash. It has been proof that Marijuana(in low dosis) does not affect the driving skills. That percent of accidents or stop by a police always will be lower than drunk people. But people should not be driving when they have drugs in their system.
nodrama • Feb 9, 2015 at 9:04 pm
I agree that since our movement towards cannabis has taken place the percentage of drivers, driving high has increased but we all saw that one coming. It’s just a matter of time before we realize weed isn’t harming anyone its people’s poor decision making instead. We should stop making excuses for our poor choices, and learn to be more responsible when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Drinking isn’t a bad thing but when you start abusing it, then it becomes a problem and it’s the same for everything, too much of something is always a bad thing.
alexskates59 • Feb 9, 2015 at 2:04 pm
I think it is good they are less drunk drivers, but what do you expect if you make a drug legal and easy to obtain? People will always drive intoxicated no matter what. We should be working more towards making cars more safe and people more aware then blaming it on the drug or alcohol. Someone who is fatigued is just as much of a risk as a drunk driver is, so why blame it on the alcohol?
lex • Feb 9, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Though I want to argue that marijuana smokers are more aware of what’s going on rather than drunk drivers; no one should be on the roads if they’re under the influence. Whether they think they’re okay or not, there are many other cars on the roads and their safety matters also.
EMV • Feb 9, 2015 at 1:43 pm
I agree with him on the subject, no matter how good they can drive people should not get behind the wheel if they’re under the influence specially teenagers. Although I would argue that there should be more leniency for the people who smoke marijuana and drive since its a much less dangerous drug and people have more control and often even more cautious.
Regan • Feb 9, 2015 at 1:39 pm
In my opinion, the growing acceptance of marijuana in America is a major factor in the 50% increase in the number of people four driving high. This could also possibly be the reason for the drop in percentage of drunk drivers; people making a healthier decision between the two.
dr95mike • Feb 9, 2015 at 1:34 pm
I’m glad to hear that there are less drunk drivers out there, but now there is an increase in drugged drivers! If you know you are not capable of driving or have any type of drug in your system then please don’t drive. You are risking your life and others.