Drugged driving may become bigger problem in Michigan

With the recent legalization of marijuana in Michigan, drivers now have an additional thing to worry about when they take to the road: drugged driving. While many individuals are familiar with the dangers posed by drunk driving, many don’t realize the full affects of drugged driving. However, drugged driving can be just as dangerous if not more so than drunk driving.The affect a drug has on an individual’s ability to drive safely, of course, depends on the drug involved. For example, heroin and other opiates can cause extreme drowsiness and memory problems. Therefore, an individual who has taken hydrocodone or injected heroin will likely have trouble staying awake behind the wheel. Softer drugs, though, like marijuana are not any safer. In fact, marijuana can cause slowed reaction times as well as impaired judgment and a distorted sense of time and space. This can cause a motorist to fail to stop at a stop sign or stoplight, or he or she may fail to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Either way, the dangers are very real.The terrifying reality is that drugged driving is becoming much more common, too. In 2017 alone nearly 13 million people over the age of 16 admitted to driving while under the influence of illicit substances. Many fear is that the legalization of marijuana will contribute to this growing problem. However, only time will tell just how big of a problem drug driving will be now that marijuana has been legalized.Those injured in an automobile accident can face very significant consequences. The damages inflicted upon them can be wide-reaching and long-lasting. Their losses can be physical, emotional, and financial in nature. When an injurious accident leaves an individual hurt, and that accident was caused by the negligence of another, then legal action may be justified. Personal injury attorney stand ready to help these victims.