Along with a steady increase in the United States of prescription drug abuse is another growing problem that can affect the well-being of everyone, not just those doing drugs. Because there are more drug users, there are more drug users behind the wheel of vehicles.New government statistics reveal just how much of a problem drugged driving has become.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) census, one of every three people involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2009 who had toxicology tests had drugs in their system.
Increase in Drugged Drivers
Although the number of drivers killed in highway crashes has declined over the last five years, the number of fatal crashes involving drugs has increased five percent. These statistics include illegal substances as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications.
But there is even more evidence that drugged driving is becoming more prevalent.
One in eight nighttime, weekend drivers tested positive for illicit drugs in another NHTSA study in 2007. If you include pharmaceuticals, that number increases to one in six drivers who have drugs in their system at nighttime during the weekend.
Add to this a Monitoring the Future study in which one in 10 high school seniors reported driving after smoking marijuana, and you have a growing trend of driving while on drugs in the U.S.
Public Health Threat
In response to this growing problem, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has launched efforts on several fronts to try to reduce the risks.
"Drugged driving is a much bigger public health threat than most Americans realize and unfortunately, it may be getting worse," said ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske. "It is critical that communities across the Nation address the threat of drugged driving as we redouble our efforts to make America's roadways safer by increasing public awareness, employing more targeted enforcement, and developing better tools to detect the presence of drugs among drivers."
Steps to Reduce Drugged Driving
The ONDCP hopes to reduce drugged driving by 10 percent before 2015. To that end, the office plans:
- Encouraging more states to pass per se laws making it illegal to drive with any illicit drugs in your system.
- Increasing training for law enforcement to identify drugged drivers.
- Developing standard screening tests to detect the presence of drugs in drivers.
- Increasing funding for drug prevention programs by $203 million.
- Increasing funding for treatment programs by $137 million.
- Encouraging the formation of more drug courts, providing treatment, instead of jail, for non-violent drug offenders.
- Funding more scientific research on drug abuse.
- Funding expanded access to substance abuse treatment.
In a conference call with reporters, Terry Zobeck, ONDCP Director of the Office of Research and Data Analysis, said the goal of the per se laws is not to test every driver on the road for illicit drugs in their system, but to test those who have already been stopped because of erratic driving or having a collision.
The per se or zero tolerance laws have already been passed by 17 states.
Asked how law enforcement officers are being trained to recognize drugged drivers, Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, special policy advisor to the ONDCP, said the drug tests are usually administered after an apparent impaired driver has passed an alcohol breath test.
"If the driver appears impaired, but passes the alcohol breath test, then the DRE (drug recognition expert) officer is called to the scene to conduct a drug test," Dr. Sabet said.
The ONDCP is also working with scientists to develop field drug tests that can use bodily fluids, such as sweat or saliva, to detect drugs in a driver's system, rather than blood or urine tests.
Parents and communities can download more information on drugged driving from the ONDCP website at TheAntiDrug.com.
Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Working to Get Drugged Drivers Off the Road" (PDF). May 2010. More About Drunk Driving:
Photo: Clipart.com