Drugged driving recently became a spotlight issue after it was announced that the National Drug Control Policy and Mothers Against Drunk Driving announced they would be teaming up to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the issue.

As part of the campaign, the two organizations will be urging parents to become more aware of the trend among young people of drugged driving and "poly-abuse"-drugged driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs- and calling on lawmakers to tackle the issue. One of the slogans of the campaign is to encourage drivers to remain "above the influence." Drugged driving, like drunk driving, impairs a driver's ability to operate their vehicle, and a growing body of research is increasing concerns over the issue.

Previous data from 2009 from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration show that around one-third of motor vehicle driver fatalities with known drug test results tested positive for drugs.

According to a recent National Drug Control Policy analysis of data from 2009, which was compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drugged driving is a problem among young people. Around one-quarter of fatally injured drivers who tested positive for drugs were under the age of 25. Data taken from 2005 to 2009 shows that around 42 percent of fatally injured drivers who tested positive for marijuana were under 25.

Overall, drugged driving appears to be on an upward trend. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration also found that the number of fatal crashes involving drugs has increased five percentage points over the last five years. And that, despite an overall decline in the number of fatal crashes.

Source: CNN, "White House and MADD join forces against drugged driving," October 13, 2011.