Recent data shows that in 2018, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) District 10, 132 motorists were in a drug-related crash, a 4% decrease from 2017.
While Butler and Clarion counties saw decreases in drug-related/drugged driver crashes, Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson counties saw increases, some of them significant.
Armstrong County data show that 5% of crashes in 2018 were drug-related, a 6% increase (4.7%) from 2017.
Drug-related/drugged driver crashes involve drivers who test positive for marijuana, prescription medications such as narcotics and opiates, even cold medication.
A new Center for Disease Control (CDC) report, released last week, showed that in 2018, 12 million Americans aged 16 and older reported driving under the influence of marijuana and 2.3 million reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs other than marijuana during the past 12 months.
If ingesting an impairing substance, such as marijuana, alcohol, prescription drugs, sleep medication, or any form of illegal drug, do not drive. Also, passengers should never ride with an impaired driver. If you think a driver may be impaired, do not get in the car. If planning to drive and drug-impaired, pass the keys to a sober driver who can safely drive. Like drunk driving, it is essential that drug-impaired drivers refrain from driving a vehicle. It is never okay to drive while impaired by any substance.