Drug use among drivers in fatal accidents has increased

WASHINGTON - Evidence of drug use is being found with increasing frequency among drivers who die in automobile accidents, according to new research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Although fatalities involving alcohol have garnered far more attention, an NHTSA report issued yesterday indicates that drug use by drivers who died increased by 5 percent from 2005 to 2009.

The study drew no conclusion about whether the fatal accidents resulted from drug use.

Nationally, drugs were found in 18 percent of dead drivers.

"Drug involvement does not necessarily imply impairment or indicate that drug use was the cause of the crash," NHTSA administrator David Strickland said.

"While it's clear that science and state policies regarding drugs and driving are evolving, one fact is indisputable. If you are taking any drugs that might impair your ability to drive safely, then you need to . . . give your keys to someone else. It doesn't matter if it's drugs or alcohol; if you're impaired, don't drive."

Overall, 3,952 dead drivers tested positive for drug use last year. Strickland said that some states do far more drug testing of victims than others and that many who die are not tested.

Legal and illegal drugs were found during autopsies.

The range of drugs recorded by the nation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System included narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, phencyclidines (PCPs), anabolic steroids and inhalants.

Of the total of 33,808 people who died on the roadways last year, 17,640 were driving the vehicle.

- The Washington Post