The news media is abuzz with talk of powdered alcohol products which may come on the market soon. So far, the product is getting mixed reviews, as some say use of it can lead to serious public health and safety situations. Still, powdered alcohol can be extremely dangerous and can lead to a variety of traffic accidents – some of which can result in serious injuries and/or death.
For instance, bus accidents are extremely dangerous types of roadway emergencies. They happen for various reasons, but if drivers have access to the new powdered alcohol, the substance can play a huge role in causing a crash.
Bus Drivers
Bus drivers who partake of alcohol and other illicit substances and become under the influence put themselves and others at risk. There are any number of ways the powdered alcohol can impair a person’s driving, including:
- Decreased stop response times
- Reckless driving
- Poor concentration
- Blurred vision or unconsciousness (if individual is a heavy user)
It’s not hard to see how these problems can lead to serious safety risks for passengers who have put their lives in someone else’s hands.
Bus Passengers
Bus passengers who use powdered alcohol or other substances may become inebriated and act out in dangerous ways. There’s a reason why bus safety guidelines explicitly state that passengers must stay behind a certain line at the front of the bus. Bus drivers, in fact, have very little protection from dangerous passenger interference, such as fights or physical behavior that intrudes into their work space.
That said, maintaining order on a bus is extremely important for the safety of everyone involved. Even a minor interference by a passenger can cause a deadly accident.
Pedestrians
As with other types of substances and behavioral issues, there’s also the possibility of pedestrians entering the roadway in improper ways if they are under the influence of powdered alcohol or any other substance. Drivers are responsible to look out for pedestrians, but in some situations, they are unable to anticipate reckless or erratic activity. This is just another way that substances like powdered alcohol could dramatically raise the risks of harmful accidents related to bus operations and public transportation.
New York City Bus Accident Attorneys Representing Injury Victims
Local New York City injury attorneys looking into a bus accident will have to closely examine all of the factors in the case, including:
- Driver fitness and training
- Passenger behavior
- Roadway obstacles
- Inclement weather
- Road work or construction hazards
These and other factors can make a difference in a heavy vehicle accident and influence a personal injury case where attorneys work to secure money for their clients. These legal professionals have to dig deep into the details of the case to really understand the full context involved, what happened on the road and why it happened, to include investigating whether it had to do with any kind of illicit substance abuse that may or may not have been fully documented.
Get Help Today
Those who are injured in New York City accidents can contact Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff for help with their case. Our attorneys will work closely with clients to guide them through every step of a personal injury case.
