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California Launches Campaign to Address Drugged Driving

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
cannabis leavesThe California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is targeting drug-impaired driving with a new campaign directed at informing the public of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs. The “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze” campaign launched after California voters passed Proposition 64, which legalizes recreational use of marijuana, during the November election. California State officials are worried that the new marijuana laws will increase the trend of people driving under the influence of drugs, which is much harder to detect than alcohol. An increasing number of drivers have already tested positive for drug use in recent years. In 2012, more California drivers tested positive for drugs than alcohol, with marijuana being the most common substance among those driving impaired, according to the OTS. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reported that 38 percent of California drivers killed in car accidents tested positive for drugs in 2014. The $1 million campaign includes television and digital advertising that focuses on the use of both illegal and prescription drugs to highlight their dangerous effects on drivers while operating a vehicle. Unlike alcohol, which has a legal limit for blood alcohol content to identify impairment, there is currently no fixed limit for drug use that can help law enforcement officers determine if a driver is impaired. It is left up to the officer’s discretion to identify drug impairment. Proponents of Proposition 64 have come forward to pledge their support for California law enforcement’s efforts in developing driver impairment tests for marijuana and other drug use. The California Cannabis Industry Association, a pro-marijuana lobbyist group that helped draft Proposition 64, is donating $4 million to law enforcement to help create methods to test and recognize drivers impaired by drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous for all motorists on the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with an impaired driver, the licensed car accident attorneys in Sacramento at the Arnold Law Firm can help. Through a free, no obligation consultation we will review your claim and determine if you are entitled to compensation. Our injury attorneys work on a contingency basis and will not charge any fees unless you are awarded damages.

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Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.