NHTSA: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different Holiday Edition

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently publicizing their anti-drugged driving campaign for the holiday season. The “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different” campaign is all about raising awareness about the dangers of drugged driving. Most people know that drinking and driving is illegal and incredibly dangerous.  

It’s also common knowledge that you shouldn’t be taking illegal drugs and getting behind the wheel. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don’t know that even certain legally prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications can be unsafe when mixed with driving.  

Marijuana and Motor Vehicles Don’t Mix  

According to the NHTSA, between 2009 and 2019, of those drivers killed in crashes and tested for marijuana, the presence of marijuana had nearly doubled. In 2018, 46 percent of drivers who were killed in crashes and were tested for drugs tested positive.  

Marijuana and motor vehicles simply don’t mix. It doesn’t matter if you’re just feeling a little “buzzed,” or if you consider yourself a seasoned user. You shouldn’t get behind the wheel.  

If You Feel Different, You Drive Different 

If you’re not sure if a medication is safe behind the wheel, it’s a good idea to ask your pharmacist or doctor about it. If the information about a medication says you shouldn’t be operating heavy machinery, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Any medicine, legally prescribed or over-the-counter, that makes you feel different, will make you drive differently.  

Driving requires your full alert attention. You shouldn’t be driving on any medication that can make you drowsy or cloud your thinking. It’s not enough to just avoid distractions like cell phones, you also have to make sure you’re physically and cognitively sharp enough to safely get to your destinations.  

Drugged Driving Accidents in Southern California  

After any kind of accident involving a drunk or drugged driver, it’s important to speak with a Personal Injury lawyer about your case. You may be entitled to compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages and other expenses associated with your injuries.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a drug-impaired driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.