There are many laws regarding drunk driving. Some of these are federally conducted by drug driving lawyer. Each Australian state maintains its own rules regarding drug use. Some states have zero tolerance for drug use, especially before or during driving. One-third of people in Australia take this zero-tolerance status for drunk driving. There are limitations that govern the legal operation of the motor vehicle when using the rest of the drug. Because of this variation from state to state, the expert knowledge of a personal injury lawyer is required to know your rights in a drunk driving auto accident.
With so many changes in the legalization of certain drugs for medical and recreational use, state laws are becoming more confusing. Drug driving lawyer finds that turning these drug laws into motor vehicle laws could be complicated. This is because each person’s body reacts differently to the use of some of these drugs in terms of individual chemistry, type of drug used, tolerability produced, dosage consumed, body size and other factors. While one person is completely spoiled after using a certain substance, it is difficult to keep people on the road safe when another person can be completely clear.
More Car Accidents Due to Drug Addiction
As some drugs have been legalized in states across the country, fatal auto accidents involving these drugs have become more common. A recent study in the Journal of Epidemiology presented the results of driver toxicology tests performed within an hour of an auto vehicle accident. Studies show that in 1999, these tests resulted in 12% of auto accident-related deaths attributed to poor driving, with only 4% attributing marijuana use. In 2010, 28 percent of deaths were due to poor driving as a result of similar tests of drivers following auto accidents, with more than 11 percent attributed to marijuana.
Similar results have been provided by other studies, such as one conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That study showed that 22 percent of drivers tested positive for driving under the influence of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or illicit drugs.
The results of this Drug driving lawyer study were consistent between driving during the day and at night. But age was a factor in the periodic statistical changes, with drug use by drivers between the ages of 50 and 59 increasing from 3.4 percent in 2002 to 7.2 percent in 2010. Drivers in this age group were responsible for a quarter of drug-related deaths in 2010. A third survey found that in 2011, about 17 percent of college students were involved in impaired driving after using substances other than alcohol.
According to a nationwide study of fatal auto accidents, 46.5 percent of drug drivers in 2010 were under the influence of prescription drugs. Of these disabled drivers, 36.9 percent were under the influence of marijuana and about ten percent used cocaine. Frequent prescription drugs for the harm of drug drivers involved in auto accidents include diazepam, hydrocodone, alprazolam and oxycodone. In many cases, the driver who used these drugs was not prescribed these drugs.
Dangers of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving has long been considered a cause of accidents. An intoxicated driver is 13 times more likely to have an auto accident with death than a healthy driver. Mixing alcohol with marijuana is also very dangerous, with drivers 24 times more likely to die in an accident.
Civil lawsuits are often the result of accidents caused by drunk drivers which were then handled by Drug driving lawyers. This is especially true when deaths or serious injuries occur as part of these accidents. Family members or victims themselves can find a car accident lawyer who has experienced a car accident to help them get compensation for their injuries or other damages. So get the best proactive and pragmatic approach by a drug lawyer.
Sometimes, parties involved in drug driving are charged with criminal charges. When drunk drivers are arrested and held accountable in court, community service, fines and imprisonment also result in these charges.