A look at the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs

It might not be something that you're aware of when you're behind the wheel, but there are actually a disturbing number of people who regularly drive when under the influence of drugs. Roads on Friday and Saturday nights are likely to have just as many people driving around after taking pills or smoking a few joints as they are to have motorists tearing home from the pub after one too many pints.

A huge problem

Drug-driving might not be as widely known about as drink-driving, yet it is a massive problem in the UK - a problem that ruins lives.

Nowadays a huge variety of drugs are readily available at cheap prices and some people just can't resist using their vehicle after having indulged. But the simple fact is that taking drugs before getting behind the wheel is just like asking to have a car accident. And when you have a car accident, who knows what could happen?

As well as being, to put it bluntly, a stupid thing to do, driving under the influence of drugs is highly illegal and the police are well within their rights to carry out a roadside test on an individual whom they believe may be inebriated. If found guilty of drug-driving, the penalties are the same as for drink-driving, that is a minimum one year ban, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

So what does taking drugs actually do to your body and why does it increase the chance of having a car crash so dramatically?

Different drugs affect the body in different ways.

Cannabis

Cannabis is by far the most widely used drug in Britain today and its effect on driving has been the subject of countless studies by experts all around the world.

When smoked or eaten the drug has a sedative effect, chilling some people out but making others feel sick. It affects coordination, which is why it can be such a dangerous drug to use before driving.

Experts at the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire recently carried out a study and discovered that drivers under the influence of cannabis found it harder to maintain a constant speed and also experienced problems trying to drive around bends. The drug is also liable to cause misconceptions of time which can lead to car accidents.

The long term effects of cannabis use are much debated, but it is widely agreed that regular, heavy use affects concentration and can lead to constant tiredness. Not surprisingly, this doesn't bode well for a driver who needs all their wits about them when they're on the road.

Ecstasy

Methylene dioxymethamphetamine, more commonly known as ecstasy, is a stimulant that speeds up the brain and central nervous system and floods the body with serotonin - the pleasure chemical produced when you fall in love.

Despite this, ecstasy tablets contain a whole host of unknown chemicals that can have a terrible effect on the body. In addition to creating dangerous energy levels, the drug can cause involuntary muscle spasms, short-term memory loss, paranoia and panic attacks, none of which are conducive to good driving.

Ecstasy is also likely to make the user feel cocky and so, when behind the wheel, more liable to take risks. Overtaking dangerously, speeding around bends and taking roundabouts too fast are all typical of drivers on ecstasy and, not surprisingly, contribute to a significant number of road accidents.

LSD

LSD, or acid, became popular in the late 1950s but wasn't made illegal in the UK until 1966. Despite it being a Class A drug, its use is fairly widespread today and is the cause of a significant number of devastating car accidents every year.

The drug is a powerful hallucinogenic, often distorting perception of time, distance and colour, as well as making the user see things that don't actually exist at all. Little explanation is needed, therefore, to justify why it is such a bad drug to be under the influence of when driving.

In addition to the immediate effects of taking the drug, there are reports of heavy users suffering organic brain damage because of LSD. Impaired memory, mental confusion and a decreased attention spam are all a possibility and some people also suffer terrifying flashbacks.

These flashbacks can happen at any time up to two years after taking LSD and the individual will feel and see things similar to if they had just taken the drug. If driving when an unexpected flashback occurs, the terrible possibilities don't bear thinking about.

There are numerous other drugs available and all are equally dangerous on their own, let alone when combined with attempting to drive. For more information about drug-driving, go to www.drugdrive.com.

Making a car accident claim for compensation

If you've been hurt as the result of a car accident caused by a driver under the influence of drugs then you could be in a position to make a personal injury compensation claim.

Here at Car Accident Advice Line we've years of experience in helping people fight for the compensation that they deserve. All our personal injury solicitors work on a no win, no fee basis and they will not make deductions from any compensation that you win. There will be absolutely no costs, charges or fees and with our fantastic success rate you really couldn't find anyone better to fight your corner.

So pick up the phone today and give us a call on 0808 143 43 42. We really are the car accident claim experts and we're waiting to help you.