Drugged truck drivers pose a danger to Las Vegas drivers
Truck drivers are held to a high standard compared to passenger car drivers because the sheer size and weight of a large commercial truck is enough to cause a serious catastrophe.
Truck drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs lose the skill, judgment and coordination needed to operate a commercial truck. That's why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates random drug testing for truck drivers.
Yet, that doesn't stop some truck drivers from using substances that cause impairment.
Leading substances found in truck driver drug tests
According to the FMCSA recent Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, 19,849 drivers tested positive for at least one impairing substance from September 2019 to May 2020. The drivers who failed their drug tests were required to undergo a return-to-duty process before regaining their driving privileges.
The top three substances identified in the tests include:
- Marijuana — 10,388 positive tests
- Cocaine — 3,192 positive tests
- Methamphetamines — 2,184 positive tests
Dangers of driving while impaired
Marijuana is legal for recreational and medicinal use in Nevada. This makes it more likely that drivers will encounter someone who is driving high. Drivers may still test positive for THC, even if they aren't under the influence of marijuana at the time of being tested.
Like many other downer substances, marijuana can cause:
- Decreased attention and awareness
- Slowed thinking and reaction time
- Impaired judgment
- Loss of coordination and control
- Increased risk of drowsy driving, which is already a leading cause of truck crashes
Cocaine and methamphetamine on the other hand, can cause truck drivers to become reckless and aggressive on the road. This may include speeding, weaving through traffic, tailgating, failing to comply with traffic rules and engaging in road rage.
What to do if you're injured by a truck driver
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a crash with an impaired truck driver, you deserve justice. Get an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer on your side who knows how to take on trucking companies and their insurers.
Truck accident claims are never easy. Multiple parties and insurance companies are often involved in a single crash. What's worse, trucking companies may attempt to cover up any wrongdoing on their driver's part by promptly launching their own investigation.
That's why you need a strong legal advocate who can beat them at their own game. It takes a wealth of legal knowledge and skill to investigate truck crashes, put together an accurate claim and negotiate a fair settlement.
Contact Lasso Injury Law LLC online to schedule your free legal consultation.
