Drugged Driving in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer. This topic is getting more attention as of late, due to the legalization of recreational marijuana use in California and the recent car accidents where marijuana is involved. Today, the subject is receiving attention from the state capitol.
Activity at the Capitol
The Capitol is joining forces with the Sacramento Police Department. This is with the intention to address the higher number of people who are driving high on drugs in the face of California’s recent vote to legalize recreational use of marijuana.
A report from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association in 2015 finds that drugged driving surpassed drunk driving for drivers killed in crashes. Moreover, 43% tested positive for drug use, more than the 37% that tested positive for alcohol use.
The recent crackdown on drugged driving is being led by Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo. Hill has recently introduced two separate laws to the legislation process. The first seeks to make any consumption of marijuana in a vehicle illegal. The second lowers the amount of alcohol that can be in the blood while there is also a presence of drugs in an individual’s system. This is due to an increase in impairment that can come when both drugs and alcohol are present in the body at the same time.
Watch Youtube Video – CA report: Deadly drugged driving crash – by KCRA 3 News. The video describes new legislation being introduced concerning this topic as well as the tragic death of a father of four killed by a drugged driver along Interstate 80 recently.
Impaired by Marijuana
This increased attention to drugged driving comes just days after an incident in Roseville occurred on I-80. Joseph Brenan was changing a tire on the side of the freeway when 24-year-old Brandon Rotolo drifted onto the shoulder and struck Brenan and vehicle, killing him instantly. Immediately following the incident, Rotolo was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of marijuana.
Furthermore, training for police departments across California is increasing to better their ability to spot drugged drivers. For alcohol, a legal blood level percent of 0.08 exists. However, there is not the legal level of intoxication for marijuana. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal no matter how much of the substance is present in offender’s blood levels. Different tests are known to increase a police officer’s ability to determine drug use during stops are available. However, these tests are taking place in other states, and the state of California has yet to adopt them.
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Sacramento Drugged Driving Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer. If you, or a loved one, experience a serious injury or wrongful death because of someone else, please, don’t hesitate to call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for some free, friendly advice.
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Finally, increase the safety of our roads by refusing to drive after the consumption of marijuana, alcohol, or any illicit drugs. – Edward A Smith Law Offices.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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