Marijuana legalization is sweeping the United States. Over 20 states have legalized the drug for medicinal purposes, and two states have legalized it for adults over the age of 21 to possess recreationally. However, the liberalization efforts are making some public safety experts very nervous. Particularly, they wonder if legalizing pot will lead to deadly consequences on the nation’s roads.
Columbia University recently released a study which said that over the past 10 years three times as many people have died in drugged driving automobile accidents than in the 10 years preceding. This seems to indicate that Americans are now far more susceptible to becoming the victims of drugged driving automobile accidents, even before the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington is taken into account.
The nation’s younger drivers will likely be at the forefront of any surge in drugged driving related automobile accidents and fatalities. According to a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over 10% of high school students admitted to having used marijuana and then driven an automobile. Additionally, the report indicates that over 25% of drugged driving automobile fatalities are people under the age of 25.
If you, or a loved one, have been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident involving a driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the Boulder City accident attorneys of Jolley Urga Woodbury & Little can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Please call us at (702) 699-7500 or contact us online today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about your legal rights.
