Only within the last 25 years have we started to recognise and understand the dangers associated with drink driving. The government, law enforcement agencies and media are consistently making efforts to reduce incidences of drink driving, but not drug driving. As a result, there has been a decline in drink driving. However, we need to turn our attention to those driving under the influence of drugs and the effects it can have.
The obvious and main concern related to drug driving is that the effects on the brain could impair one’s motor skills, reaction time, and judgment. Drugged driving is a huge public health concern as it puts the driver at risk. not only this, but also passengers and others who share the road, just like drink driving.
Drug Driving – Legal implications
The majority of people know about the potentially lethal effects of driving under the influence of drugs. Public health officials are aware of the dangers. Nevertheless, policy officials, constituent groups, drug driving laws are not consistent like alcohol-related driving legislation. In part, this is because of limitations in the current technology for determining drug levels in an individual. It is also due to identifying impairment.
For alcohol, it is relatively easy. The detection of its blood concentration (BAC) with concentrations greater than 0.08 percent impair driving performance. Thus, 0.08 percent is the legal limit in this country. However, for illegal drugs, there is no agreed-upon limit for which impairment has been reliably demonstrated. Furthermore, determining current drug levels can be difficult. Certain drugs stay in the body for a longer period of time, be it days or weeks after initial ingestion.
Most recently, there has been more attention given to drugs as well as alcohol. Hazards to road traffic safety have been increasingly recognised. Generally, marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug that is identified in drivers caught under the influence. Fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims are commonly involves in these incidents. There are also a multitude of other drugs also dangerous including benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines.
The reason why drugs are so detrimental for a driver is that they act on the brain. They can alter perception, cognition, attention and other faculties required for safe driving. The effects of specific drugs of abuse differ depending on their mechanisms of action. The amount consumed, the history of the user, and other factors.
Physical Effects
THC, present in marijuana, affects areas of the brain that control the body’s movements. Balance, coordination, memory and judgment, as well as sensations. Prescription drugs are also a problem, for example, benzodiazepines and opiate analgesics. These act on structures in the brain that can easily mar driving ability and precision indicating the user should not take the medication and drive.
It is clear that driving whilst under the influence is a real problem today and has grave consequences. It is necessary to tackle the issue of drug driving as well as the problems behind drug abuse.
The Haynes clinic is an addiction rehab centre. For free and confidential advice please call 01462 851 414.
