Drugged driving poses a growing threat to Pennsylvania motorists

Drugged driving arrests are on the rise in Pennsylvania, and drugged drivers are also causing a substantial number of all impaired driving deaths.

The rising use of illicit and prescription opioid drugs has had devastating impacts on many people in New Castle and other parts of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, new data suggests that this public health epidemic is also adversely affecting roadway safety. Drugged driving arrests are on the rise in Pennsylvania, and accidents involving these drivers now represent a significant proportion of all deadly impaired driving accidents.

More arrests, fatalities

From 2013 to 2014, drug driving arrest rates rose in Pennsylvania even as overall impaired driving arrests fell, according to The Meadville Tribune. Altogether, 20,691 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. This represents a 10 percent increase over the number of people who were arrested for the same offense the previous year.

In 2013, Pennsylvania authorities attributed 114 fatal car accidents to drugged drivers. This figure, which represents more than one-quarter of all fatal impaired driving accidents recorded that year, includes cases that involved prescription drugs as well as illicit substances.

A national problem

This rise in drugged driving arrests and crashes likely reflects a national pattern, according to the same source. Data from the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that in 2013, drugged drivers caused nearly as many fatalities as drunk drivers. Authorities point to the opioid drug epidemic and the increasing legalization of marijuana as probable factors behind this dangerous change.

Challenges of prevention

Unfortunately, it may be difficult for law enforcement authorities to address this threat by catching and prosecuting drugged drivers. In Pennsylvania, authorities cannot hold a driver for a blood test unless there is adequate evidence that the driver is impaired, and there is no roadside test that can detect the presence of drugs in a driver’s system. While impairment may sometimes be obvious, in other cases, dangerous drivers may go uncaught and unpunished.

Sadly, drugged driving may only become a more prominent issue in the future. Gov. Tom Wolf has already expressed support for the legalization of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The increased availability of this substance could result in more people driving while impaired. Between this potential change and the ongoing heroin and prescription drug epidemic, the risk of drugged driving accidents may continue rising.

Remedies for other drivers

Sadly, statistics suggest that impaired driving accidents will harm many people in Pennsylvania this year. In these situations, injury victims or surviving family members should remember that legal remedies might be available. Driving under the influence of alcohol or any narcotics, including prescription drugs, is illegal in Pennsylvania. Drivers who violate this law may be considered negligent and liable for the damages they cause.

To better understand their rights and options, accident victims may want to consider speaking to an attorney. A personal injury attorney may be able to offer advice on documenting the accident and injury, filing a claim and pursuing appropriate recourse.