Mottley Law Firm - February 2023

SUDOKU

DRUGGED DRIVING VS. DRUNK DRIVING

SOLUTION

Is There a Legal Difference?

We’ve all seen campaigns about the dangers of drunk driving and the dangers of drugs. But somehow, the media rarely combines the two! Here at The Mottley Law Firm, we’ve always wondered why “drugged driving” doesn’t appear in more headlines and TV commercials — because it’s probably as common as drunk driving and just as dangerous. WHAT IS DRUGGED DRIVING? Drugged driving is a broad term that covers driving under the influence of all kinds of substances, from illicit drugs and marijuana to legal painkillers and sedatives. Drugged driving is negligent and can lead to civil or even criminal charges here in Virginia. Drugged drivers often wind up paying fines and serving jail time for the injuries they’ve caused. WHY IS DRUGGED DRIVING DANGEROUS? It’s perfectly safe to take powerful painkillers while on your couch — but the moment you start driving, your dulled sensitivity to light and sound, coordination problems, and slowed thinking become real problems. Sedatives can cause extreme lethargy that slows your reaction time or puts you to sleep behind the wheel, while opiates can bring confusion alongside euphoria. Illicit substances are just as dangerous and can inspire hallucinations, paranoia, dizziness, poor judgment, altered perception of time and distance, vision impairment, and more. DRUGGED DRIVING VS. DRUNK DRIVING: WHICH IS WORSE? The American Addiction Centers (ADC) did a deep dive into this question. They compared statistics for both types of impairment, like the fact that in 2018, 12.6 million Americans age 16 and up drove under the influence of illegal drugs. The ADC concluded that “there’s no way to definitively say whether drunk driving or drugged driving is worse” — they both reduce your ability to drive and can lead to fatal accidents. Legally, Virginia punishes DUIs/DWIs (driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated, typically by alcohol) and DUIDs (driving under the influence of drugs) with equal harshness. If you or someone you love has recently been in a car wreck involving a driver behaving oddly, they might have been drugged while driving — we can help you prove it. Check out our blog “A Drugged Driving Crash Can Change Your Life in an Instant” at MottleyLawFirm.com for more information on this type of collision or to reach our attorneys for help.

FETA CHICKEN BURGERS

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

1.

Preheat broiler and mix chopped cucumber and mayonnaise. For the burgers, mix the red pepper, garlic powder, Greek seasoning, and black pepper. Add chicken and cheese; mix lightly but thoroughly (the mixture will be sticky). Shape into 6 patties about 1/2-inch thick. Broil burgers, remembering to cook both sides thoroughly. Serve on buns with cucumber sauce. If desired, top with lettuce and tomato. Enjoy!

2.

BURGERS: •

1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red pepper

• • • •

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp Greek seasoning 1/4 tsp black pepper 1 1/2 lbs lean ground chicken 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

3.

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

www.MottleyLawFirm.com | 3

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator