The Dangers of Drugged Driving in Florida

We often hear of the prevalence of drunk driving around the country and how dangerous it is. All of the public service advertisements and warnings are essential to inform drivers of the serious risk of injury and death associated with driving while intoxicated on alcohol. However, anything that a driver has in their system that impairs them automatically makes them unfit to operate an automobile. This includes illegal and legal drugs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the problem of drunk driving in the United States and how it needlessly takes many lives every year. Fatal drunk driving crashes in the United States that are alcohol-related account for as high as 30% of all of the deadly crashes that occur and are reported. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, recently, there were 479 alcohol-related crashes in Florida which resulted in 41 deaths and 41 serious bodily injuries.

While the data is clear on the widespread problem and inherent dangers of drunk driving, it is a little murky when it comes to driving while on drugs. The CDC explains that there simply is not enough data available to have a greater understanding of the issue. However, several studies have assessed severely injured drivers who were rushed into trauma centers after catastrophic car accidents. More than half of these drivers had either alcohol in their system, drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol. Of the drugs that were identified, marijuana, opioids, various stimulants, and sedatives were the most common.

Drug Use in Florida

Information is limited specifically assessing drugs and car accidents, but there is a wealth of information on drug use across the country as well as in the state of Florida. The Florida Department of Health reports that both unintentional and undetermined deaths from drug overdoses have been on the rise. Florida’s opioid overdose rate is off of the charts and has more than tripled. Additionally, the number of fentanyl and heroin-related deaths in the state is growing.

Since drug use in Florida and devastating outcomes like overdoses and deaths are increasing so dramatically, it may be deduced that potentially there might be a greater number of drugged driving accidents that are taking place. Perhaps, drugged driving may be a significant contributor to the number of Florida car accidents that are reported annually.

Florida has taken action concerning drug use and deadly overdoses. To combat the issue, legislation was passed regarding drug misuse and abuse. Still, the state recognizes that there is much more work to do and that the drug problem is not only an issue in Florida, but it is a growing public health epidemic across the country. 

Call Fulgencio Law Today

The financial damages that can result from a vehicular accident can be substantial. Getting fairly paid with a full settlement is critical. If you were harmed in a car accident in Florida, you may call a Tampa car accident attorney at Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123 to have your case evaluated during a free consultation.