Common Illegal Drugs that Contribute to Truck Accidents
Posted on: September 19, 2024
Commercial truck drivers are known to have long shifts and challenging working conditions. It is no wonder that this can all lead to fatigue and frustration – two scenarios that often lead to drug abuse. Most people understand that consuming illegal substances can give someone energy or cause lethargy, confusion, or sleepiness. Any of these can be dangerous or deadly for someone responsible for driving a large truck. Here are the most common illegal drugs that contribute to truck accidents.
Common Drugs that Are Abused by Truck Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a recent report after testing 28,445 truck drivers for alcohol and drug use. These drugs were the most common ones found in their systems from most to least often, with accompanying symptoms that can affect driving:
- Marijuana: Difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, and memory.
- Cocaine: Erratic behavior, restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and tremors.
- Methamphetamine: Educed motor coordination and speed, insomnia, paranoia, and mood disturbances.
- Amphetamine: Apprehension, obsessive behaviors, low or high blood pressure.
- Oxymorphone: Anxiety, hallucinations, fainting, seizures, and confusion.
Is Marijuana Legal for Truck Drivers in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, it is legal for residents ages 21 and up to purchase and use cannabis and cannabis products. However, this does not apply to working, licensed commercial truck drivers. No matter what state they operate in, using marijuana while working is illegal.
How Widespread Is the Problem?
Long, lonely hours of stressful driving lead truck drivers to abuse drugs, and the statistics are concerning. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that 35% of fatal truck accidents result from drug abuse. Bear in mind that this amount is separate from truck accidents related to drinking and driving. The NTSB also claimed that 85% of the truck drivers they surveyed revealed that methamphetamines were offered frequently at truck stops.
How Can I Prove that the Truck Driver Who Caused My Accident Was Under the Influence of Illegal Drugs?
It is possible to prove that a truck driver was using illegal drugs at the time of an accident but gathering the evidence takes time. An experienced truck accident lawyer can work on your behalf to access the driver’s medical records and results from drug testing and blood test results. Additional proof may be sourced from police reports, camera footage, and witness statements. It is not unusual for lawyers to work with expert witnesses who can testify about the drug use and how it caused the crash.
The majority of truck accidents cause injuries and fatalities to other drivers. This makes sense, because these large vehicles are so much longer, wider, and heavier than passenger cars and trucks. The smaller ones take the brunt of the crashes, while truck drivers often end up unharmed.
The Freehold Truck Accident Lawyers at Ellis Law Offer Trusted Legal Guidance for Truck Accident Survivors and Their Families
A truck driver who is under the influence of illegal drugs while behind the wheel can cause serious and deadly accidents that ruin lives. For a free consultation, contact the experienced Freehold truck accident lawyers at Ellis Law. We are located in Freehold, New Jersey and serve clients in Asbury Park, East Brunswick, Toms River, Middletown, Jersey City, Long Branch, Neptune, Hudson County, Union County, Essex County, Monmouth County, Marlboro, and Ocean County, as well as Brooklyn and New York City. Call us at 732-308-0200 or complete our online form for more information.
