Drugged Driving Causes Kentucky Car Crashes

People who drive after taking prescription drugs put themselves and others at risk of a car crash in Kentucky.

They may also be breaking the law.

That was the case in May, when a Louisville woman was arrested on multiple charges – including driving after taking prescription medication – after she crashed her car into a power pole with a young child aboard.

This is from WHAS-TV:

When officers arrived [the defendant] was reportedly lying on the sidewalk and her 6-year-old son was in the car.

The report stated [she] was unable to answer simple questions. Her son informed officers that she pulled over in a Long John Silver’s parking lot and “mommy took her silly medicine” a few minutes before the wreck.

Police asked for her insurance and she told them it was in her purse. Instead of finding her insurance, police reported a prescription filled that day missing 29 pills.

The woman was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, DUI, lack of insurance and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.

Drugged Driving in Kentucky

Nearly 5 percent of licensed drivers in the U.S. – or more than 10 million motorists – drove under the influence of an illicit drug during the past year, according to a study by the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The highest drugged-driving rates were among the young and least-experienced drivers.

Everyone understands the danger of drinking and driving. But research shows there is only minimal public awareness of the risk of drugged driving. As a result, drugged drivers are less frequently detected, prosecuted and referred to treatment than drunk drivers.

Like other states, Kentucky has laws against driving while under the influence of drugs – both prescription and illicit.

Section 189A.010 of Kentucky’s Revised Statutes prohibits operating a motor vehicle anywhere in the state while under the influence of any other substance (other than alcohol) or combination of substances (including alcohol) that impair one’s driving ability.

People who are injured in a Kentucky car accident caused by a drugged driver may have the right to financial compensation.

Sources:

• WHAS Louisville
  http://www.whas11.com/news/crimetracker/Louisville-woman-facing-several-charges-after-crash-208238121.html
• NHTSA – Drugged Driving Statutes
  http://druggeddriving.org/pdfs/WalshStatebyStateDrugLawsAnalysis811236.pdf