Because testing is often delayed in drugged driving crashes, media may not report that any type of impairment was involved, which can hurt family members who fail to see the crime recognized in media coverage.
In many crashes, there is also a mix of alcohol and drugs, whether prescribed or illicit, which is called poly-use and can also make prosecution difficult if accurate testing isn’t done. Drugs that are legal, such as prescription drugs, aren’t always perceived by the public
Many times there is a mix of alcohol and drugs.
to be potentially dangerous while driving. Education about the dangers of driving while taking certain prescription drugs is sorely lacking. People who don’t pay attention to the labels on their bottle or who take their prescriptions at much higher doses than prescribed may be too impaired to safely operate a motor vehicle. Politics surrounding the legalization of illicit drugs may also affect the perceptions of the public, which may impact a family grieving the loss of a loved one. Often, the public doesn’t understand the seriousness of the crime and may not offer support or even go so far as to verbally attack victims of drug impaired crashes or their family members. In both drunk and drugged driving crashes, hurtful comments online or in person can cause setbacks in the healing process for victims/survivors. Hit and Run Victims of hit and run crashes, where substance impairment is suspected, often have a very difficult time mourning the loss of their loved one when the offender isn’t caught or brought to justice. If this has happened to you, you may never have your “day in court.” You may never find out what actually happened or may hear community members say it wasn’t a substance impaired driving crash. Without prosecution of a substance impaired driving case often victims/survivors of hit and run crashes aren’t able to access funds that are available to other victims of crime.
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