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Texting and marijuana use dangerous on the road

Many people in Ohio and across the United States are increasingly concerned by the dangers posed by texting while driving. A recent survey conducted by Harris Poll for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America showed that an overwhelming number of Americans deem texting behind the wheel to be dangerous, even more so than driving while influenced by marijuana.

To be clear, most respondents believe that both practices are extremely dangerous for drivers. Driving while influenced by marijuana is seen as dangerous by 91 percent of Americans while 87 percent believe that this poses a danger to other drivers and passengers. Only 40 percent of people believe that people driving high are contributing to more motor vehicle accidents. Up to 40,000 people died in 2016 from car crashes, up 6 percent from 2015.

However, there has been no definitive connection between marijuana usage and crashes on the road, noted the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Marijuana use can lead to slowed reaction times and dizziness, impacting a driver’s ability to handle a car during an emergency situation. Americans also express a great deal of concern about the threat posed by distracted driving, which has been linked to a growing number of car crashes. Nearly 100 percent of the survey respondents see social media use or texting while driving as dangerous.

Whether a person is injured by a reckless driver who was texting or under the influence, a personal injury attorney can help the victim seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and other damages. The lawyer can provide important representation in protecting the rights of a victim who was injured through no fault of their own.