The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
It is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs anywhere in the United States. Drugged driving can include illegal or illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines, but it can also include prescription drugs that impair your ability to drive.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 65% of drivers who are involved in accidents with serious injury or death tested positive for at least one drug.
Common legal and illegal drugs that cause impairment:
- Marijuana
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines
- Opioids
- Over-the-counter drugs that cause extreme drowsiness and fatigue
Drugs of all kinds can impair your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Whether they speed your heart rate and make you more aggressive, or result in slowed coordination and reaction time, they can have deadly effects. It is important to seek professional help if you are unable to stop taking a drug.
Combatting Drugged Driving
In order to combat driving under the influence of drugs, many jurisdictions are turning to drug testing for offenders. The drug patch can be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and only needs to be replaced every 10 days. It tends to be more effective than urine sampling as urine sampling only captures a point in time. Prolonged monitoring can help to ensure that the individual is not using drugs.
The drug patch is able to detect both the parent drug and the drug metabolite. It is also less invasive than blood or urine testing as the patch detects the drug through sweat that is naturally excreted on a person’s skin. The drug patch has been shown as an effective deterrent to drug use, helping to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road.