Marijuana.com

chadwick

"by Dana Larsen

Two decades of research show that marijuana use may actually reduce driver accidents.

The effects of marijuana use on driving performance have been extensively researched over the last 20 years. All major studies show that marijuana consumption has little or no effect on driving ability, and may actually reduce accidents. Here's a summary of the biggest studies into pot use and driving.

A 1983 study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that the only significant affect of cannabis use was slower driving - arguably a positive effect of driving high.

A comprehensive 1992 NHTSA study revealed that pot is rarely involved in driving accidents, except when combined with alcohol. The study concluded that "the THC-only drivers had an [accident] responsibility rate below that of the drug free drivers." This study was buried for six years and not released until 1998.

A 1993 NHTSA study dosed Dutch drivers with THC and tested them on real Dutch roads. It concluded that THC caused no impairment except for a slight deficiency in the driver's ability to "maintain a steady lateral position on the road." This means that the THC-dosed drivers had a little trouble staying smack in the center of their lanes, but showed no other problems. The study noted that the effects of even high doses of THC were far less than that of alcohol or many prescription drugs. The study concluded that "THC's adverse effects on driving performance appear relatively small."

A massive 1998 study by the University of Adelaide and Transport South Australia examined blood samples from drivers involved in 2,500 accidents. It found that drivers with only cannabis in their systems were slightly less likely to cause accidents than those without. Drivers with both marijuana and alcohol did have a high accident responsibility rate. The report concluded, "there was no indication that marijuana by itself was a cause of fatal accidents."

In Canada, a 1999 University of Toronto meta-analysis of studies into pot and driving showed that drivers who consumed a moderate amount of pot typically refrained from passing cars and drove at a more consistent speed. The analysis also confirmed that marijuana taken alone does not increase a driver's risk of causing an accident.

A major study done by the UK Transport Research Laboratory in 2000 found that drivers under the influence of cannabis were more cautious and less likely to drive dangerously. The study examined the effects of marijuana use on drivers through four weeks of tests on driving simulators. The study was commissioned specifically to show that marijuana was impairing, and the british government was embarrassed with the study's conclusion that "marijuana users drive more safely under the influence of cannabis."

According to the Cannabis and Driving report, a comprehensive literature review published in 2000 by the UK Department of Transportation, "the majority of evidence suggests that cannabis use may result in a lower risk of [accident] culpability."

The Canadian Senate issued a major report into all aspects of marijuana in 2002. Their chapter on Driving under the influence of cannabis concludes that "Cannabis alone, particularly in low doses, has little effect on the skills involved in automobile driving."

The most recent study into drugs and driving was published in the July 2004 Journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention. Researchers at the Dutch Institute for Road Safety Research analyzed blood tests from those in traffic accidents, and found that even people with blood alcohol between 0.5% and 0.8% (below the legal limit) had a five-fold increase in the risk of serious accident. Drivers above the legal alcohol limit were 15 times more likely to have a collision. Drugs like Valium and Rohypnol produced results similar to alcohol, while cocaine and opiates showed only a small but "not statistically significant" increase in accident risk. As for the marijuana-only users? They showed absolutely no increased risk of accidents at all.

LINKS AND REFERENCES

1983 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration study: Stein, AC et al., A Simulator Study of the Combined Effects of Alcohol and Marijuana on Driving Behavior-Phase II, Washington DC: Department of Transportation (1983) Erowid Cannabis Vault : Exposing Marijuana Myths

1992 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration study: The Incidence and Role of Drugs in Fatally Injured Drivers, by K.W. Terhune, et al. of the Calspan Corp. Accident Research Group in Buffalo, NY (Report # DOT-HS-808-065) NHTSA: Drugs Not Big Danger on the Road

1993 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration study: Marijuana and actual Driving Performance, By Hindrik WJ Robbe and James F O'Hanlon. Institute for Human Psychopharmacology, University of Limburg Erowid Cannabis Vault : Cannabis (Marijuana) & Driving Impairment Executive Summary

1998 University of Adelaide and Transport South Australia study: Cannabis and driving

1999 University of Toronto Study, Marijuana Not a Factor in Driving Accidents: newsandevents.utoronto.ca/bin/19990329a.asp

2000 UK Transport Research Laboratory study on Cannabis and Driving: CC: UK: Cannabis May Make You A Safer Driver

2000 UK Department of Transportation's Cannabis and Driving report: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...ty_504567.hcsp

2002 Report of the Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs Final Report - Volume I

July 2004, Journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention, Psychoactive substance use and the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Psychoactive substance use and the risk of motor v...[Accid Anal Prev. 2004] - PubMed Result

For a less scientific and more amusing study of the combination of drugs and driving, go here: Mixmag -> Driving on Drugs

A BETTER WAY TO TEST

Performance testing is better than drug testing Cannabis Culture, January 2005 cannabisculture.com/articles/4130.html

Alternatives to Drug Testing: Performance testing Non-testers List NonTestersList Redirect

Performance testing can add an extra measure of safety HR Magazine, February 1996 Performance testing can add an extra margin of safety - Factor 1000 - Safety Agenda HR Magazine - Find Articles

An Alternative to Drug Testing Inc Magazine, April 1995 An Alternative to Drug Testing, Personnel Administration Article - Inc. Article

MEDIA REPORTS ON "DRUGGED DRIVING" LAWS

UK Launches Drug Driving Tests Daily Telegraph, December 22, 2004 CC: UK: UK Launches Drug Driving Tests

Drug Office Out To Convince Teens Pot Impairs Driving Lexington Herald-Leader, December 3, 2004 CC: US: Drug Office Out To Convince Teens Pot Impairs Driving

Growing danger: Drugged driving USA Today, Oct 21, 2004 USATODAY.com - Growing danger: Drugged driving

Zero-tolerance drugged driving law doing the job The Daily Press, July 8, 2004 CC: US MI: Editorial: Drugged Driving Law Doing the Job

Lawmakers Aiming for 'Zero Tolerance' Of Pot-Smoking Drivers The Athens News, May 5, 2004 CC: US OH: Lawmakers Aiming for 'Zero Tolerance' Of Pot-Smoking Drivers

Drugged Driving Statutes Pushed Boston Globe, March 21, 2004 CC: US: 'Drugged Driving' Statutes Pushed

New Legislation To Allow Police To Conduct Roadside Tests for Drug Impaired Drivers Ottawa Citizen, February 23, 2004 CC: Canada: New Legislation To Allow Police To Conduct Roadside

Too Many One Toke Over Line, Police Say Globe and Mail, February 1, 2003 www.mapinc.org/ccnews/v03/n173/a01.html

Drug Czar, Prohibition Establishment Seek 'Zero Tolerance' for 'Drugged Driving' The week online with DRCNet, November 22, 2002 www.mapinc.org/ccnews/v02/n2157/a04.html

British Police Plan New Drug Tests For Drivers Reuters, August 3, 2000 www.mapinc.org/ccnews/v00/n1105/a12.html

Marjiuana Report Too Hot Too Handle Australian Broadcasting Corporation, October 1998 NORML New Zealand - Car Accidents & Drugs; Marijuana and Driving Performance

"Steer Clear of Pot" Media Campaign US Office of National Drug Control Policy www.mediacampaign.org/steerclear/index.html"

 

Buzzby

Alcohol and marijuana are both fine for driving - as long as you don't use too much. When you see studies of alcohol and how it affects driving, they always talk about effects at a given dosage. I've never seen one of these marijuana studies that mentions dosage.

I've gotten so high on weed that I couldn't walk or talk. I will never believe that someone that high could be a safe driver.

__________________

Noeone

I think a two way BCI could make the proposition possible.

__________________
In any case civilization has made mankind if not more bloodthirsty, at least more vilely, more loathsomely bloodthirsty. In old days he saw justice in bloodshed and with his conscience at peace exterminated those he thought proper. Now we do think bloodshed abominable and yet we engage in this abomination, and with more energy than ever. Which is worse? -Fyodor Dostoevsky

Buzzby

Which BCI would that be?
1) Border Crossing Initiative
2) Bell Canada International
3) Bat Conservation International (I belong to this one!)
4) Baltic Capesize Index
5) Brain Computer Interface
6) Bureau of Criminal Investigation
7) Battery Council International
8) Business Continuity Institute

Or is that an acronym for a double-blind controlled study?

SoThrowd

Man I can tell you that I can drive fine no matter how impaired I am off alcohol and weed, or some other drugs. Im not saying this is smart at all, because I can get a dui easally, but I been so cautious because my small city I live in has alot of cops, and then I am extra carefull and got used to driving impaired. But I just became smart, I am not going to drive while drunk, I might have a few beers, but its not worth loosing my license over it. The only time Ill drive drunk if its an absolute emergancy.

 

Trocisp

I don't drive while high, nor do I ride with someone who's high. If it's an absolute emergency I can, and will, drive... but other than that, I avoid it.

SoThrowd

Are you serious? Wow, I am probly the best driver out there being under the influence, and Im sure alot of other people are also. If weed impairs your driving, then you shouldnt be driving at all. All all about your driving skills, not the weed.

steakii

I have driven more high in my life than i have sober, and im pretty sure that is a fact. I have had no accidents and no tickets. Now i have only had my license for 2 and a half years, so its not saying too much. I have only been too high to drive once or twice and it took me about 1 minute of driving to realize that. I have driven after drinking 1 time and i dont plan to do it again. I wasnt that drunk, but i noticed that i really sucked at driving while impaired on alcohol, swerving and what not, good thing they neighborhood i was at was only about a half a mile from my neighborhood.

Trocisp

If you re-read, I never said that Marijuana impairs my driving skills. I said "I avoid driving while under the influence." They're in no way the same.

I avoid driving while under the influence for a few reasons, not the least of which being legal. I'm a 17 year old male, and would rather not have a DUI, my insurance is high enough as it is.

O High O

I find that I am easier distracted while driving high, but at the same time I'm more cautious and careful. So, it kind of balances its self out.

P.S. Come chat.