When people think of an OUI they typically associate it with alcohol.  While alcohol is probably the most commonly used and abused impairing substance, we are seeing a large increase in the number of OUIs which are drug-related.  Drug-related OUIs include abuse of prescription medication such as opiates and benzos as well as illegal controlled substances like heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

Report Reveals Marijuana OUI Numbers

A new report revealed a percentage of Massachusetts residents are high on marijuana behind the wheel.

A recent Department of Public Health study found 21 percent of Massachusetts adults said they used marijuana in the last month.  Additionally, about one-third of those adults admitted in the report that they have driven while subject to the influence of marijuana.

Driving under the influence of any drug, including marijuana is illegal in the State of Massachusetts.  If an officer suspects a driver of being under the influence they will administer a standard battery of sobriety tests on the roadside to determine impairment.

If the suspected impairing substance is a drug, a blood test may be given to determine the presence of the impairing substance in the driver’s bloodstream.

OUI Car Accident Liability

An OUI driver who is negligent on the roadway and causes an accident is legally responsible for any injuries that occur as a result of their negligence.  In OUI accident cases, we typically find that the injuries sustained are serious in nature.  This is due to a variety of factors, including that OUI collisions normally take place at higher speeds.  Additionally, an OUI driver has slowed reflexes which result in delayed response times with important driving skills such as braking and avoidance of hazards.

The presence of an impairing drug in a driver’s system an severely limit driver ability.  Both stimulants and depressants affect the driver’s central nervous system, causing impediments to driving.

Boston OUI Accident Attorney

If you find yourself the victim of any Massachusetts OUI, whether drug or alcohol related, you need an experienced OUI attorney to stand up for you.  At the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, our team of attorneys and paralegals represent OUI accident victims to the full extent of the law.  We are determined to seek justice and compensation in these cases.  For your free consultation, give us a call today at 617-367-2900.

Note for readers: Information provided in this post is gathered from secondary sources and not independently confirmed for accuracy. Please bring to our attention any inaccuracies that may be included so they may be corrected, or information removed as requested.

DISCLAIMER: Information provided in this post is not intended to be used as legal or medical advice, nor disrespect the victims or families in any way.  We are providing this post for general information on everyday tragedies and presented in a manner to protect and honor the victims and their families. Minor differences can change the outcome of cases, based on jurisdictional laws.  The information provided in this post should not be relied upon as legal or medical advice. We suggest seeking assistance from legal or medical professionals for your personal circumstance, when necessary.