Cannabis-affected drivers more common than drunks: research

[Bren]

Bloody stoners...:tugger::doobey:


Driving under the influence of cannabis is more common and riskier than drink driving, according to new research from Otago University.

The latest paper from the long-running Health and Development study clearly showed that for young adults there was a greater risk of driving under the influence of cannabis than alcohol, and that the results were more harmful.

Full article here (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/9/story.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10469012)

[Zuki Bandit]

Not that I agree with doing either of these, but how the hell is being stoned at the wheel more dangerous than being drunk at the wheel?
Im sure that being stoned and holding up a bit of traffic has got to be less dangerous than an over confident drunk that cant judge distance and has fuck all reaction time.

:confused:But oh well, I guess they did the research.

[DMNTD]

"The research also found that while driving under the influence of cannabis there was an increased risk of minor car accidents, while the same was not true for drink driving."

Too true...drive drunk and there's an increased risk of causing MAJOR car accidents!

[merv]

Risk being a combination of likelihood and consequence, here lies the problem it would seem there are far more people under the influence of drugs these days therefore the likelihood has grown alarmingly and the shit stays in their systems for longer and the consequences are high if a car hits a bike for instance. Do you really trust a druggy driving towards you on the road?

How many "the car crossed the centreline" crashes have had a drug influence? I suspect too many to be acceptable. So is it driver incompetence or are they under the influence when really dumb stuff happens?

The sooner some of this research results in positive action to rid our roads of those under the influence the better in my view. Likewise in the workplace especially in safety critical tasks.

[Unit]

What about those under the infulence of prescription drugs? I know when I have to take any, they can make me really lala. If Ive had a sleepy help pill, I have to stay off my bike and out of my car the next day. Yet this new propsed law will allow me to legally get behind the wheel?
I make the choice to ban myself from being in charge of either vehicle. Even last Sunday when I had planned an awesome birthday ride, I stayed off my bike cause Id had way too much to drink the night before, and I knew I would not be safe.
I think that people know when they get behind the wheel they shouldnt be there, oh, exept for drunks maybe, who at that point in time cant reason anything at all. At least the stoned one will sit there for two hours staring at their keys before making a move, then they are incline to drive REALLY REALLY sloooowwww...

[Mikkel]

Well, we could start adding people who are too tired to drive - they got a reduced reaction time as well as being less observant. Oh, and they might fall asleep.

How about people texting while driving swerving all over the place?

Or how about the people who are simply just too plain stupid to should be allowed on the road in the first place...

Anyway, cannabis will leave your system much slower than alcohol - so if you smoke on a regular basis your "baseline" will go up. That being said, it has to go up quite a bit before it'll have an impact on your driving ability - however you will still test positive in a urine or bloodtest. This is part of the discussion which is rarely touched upon - if you drive under the influence a lot you will not be as badly affected. I'd rather share the road with a 50 year old longtime alcoholic driving home drunk than with a 50 year old who's had a bottle of wine too much at a friends place but the agaist his/her better judgement decides to drive home because it's only 10 kms...

[Unit]

Yep your right, there are a lot of reasons why people should not get behind the wheel, or on their bikes. At the end of the day (I know, the sun goes down) it comes down to personal integrity and responsibility when we choose to be in charge of a vehicle on shared public roads.

[Goblin]

What about those under the infulence of prescription drugs? Yeah! There's HEAPS of people on prescription drugs on our roads. What about the bi polar or manic people who DONT take their meds?? Should they be allowed to drive too?

I get pissed off when people get drunk, then smoke drugs, spin out and loose the plot and blame it on the pot. Like it had nothing to do with being pissed in the first place.

I have never seen anyone cause a crash, drive dangerously or get violent while stoned on pot alone yet pot is blamed for everything.

[canarlee]

as a "stoner" as you lot like to call it, how about this perspective. i have driven and ridden while drunk (i knew at the times it was bad but i still did it) and yes, it has affected my judgement/ability. however, i will quite happily get in my car and drive whilst "stoned" and be happy in the knowledge that it doesnt really affect my driving, i wont get on a bike whilst "stoned" though because it does seem to affect my riding ability.



what gives with that???


while i admit both are wrong, it is down to individual choices. are you all that pure and innocent?

[Ewan Oozarmy]

as a "stoner" as you lot like to call it, how about this perspective. i have driven and ridden while drunk (i knew at the times it was bad but i still did it) and yes, it has affected my judgement/ability. however, i will quite happily get in my car and drive whilst "stoned" and be happy in the knowledge that it doesnt really affect my driving, i wont get on a bike whilst "stoned" though because it does seem to affect my riding ability.



what gives with that???


while i admit both are wrong, it is down to individual choices. are you all that pure and innocent?

I remember an episode of 5th Gear where they tested a driver reactions "straight" and then "stoned" and his ability was no worse after smoking a joint.

Your "stressed" soccer mom doing the school run after swallowing 20mgs of diazipan whilst texting her shrink is far more of a liability.

Also, how do you prove someone is stoned when the THC in your blood post smoking a joint can remain for 3 weeks.

I'm not condoning driving stoned but there are far more dangerous "legal" states in which people drive.

[Mikkel]

But is it actually illegal yet? I mean atm noone would ever smoke pot since it's illegal and thus we don't need any limits for it... or some other nonsense like that.

And why even smoke it... it's bad for your lungs. No no - brownies (they're only bad for your waistline) :)

"They say that marihuana leads to other drugs, it leads to fucking carpentry that's what!
That's why I stopped doing pot in the first place, not because I was afraid I might get addicted but because I didn't wanna build anything..." (recited from memory might be incorrect - still a bloody good rant though)

[pritch]

Ummm not having any personal experience in these matters I can only offer second-hand information. :innocent:

The quoted research is different from how I understood the situation to be.
As little as one drink can affect your balance. Both the Honda and BMW owner's handbooks state this (I don't know what the other manufacturers say - I haven't bought one of theirs). Then comes overconfidence, followed by lack of co-ordination and eventual unconsciousness. Or something like that...

It was always my understanding that you could tell a cannabis user at the wheel. That's the car that's exactly in the right place in the lane, with a perfect hand signal indicating the turn, 200 yards before the corner, and doing all of 15kph.

I know which seems the bigger threat to me. Then though I guess there's those who mix things...

There's also P, and I don't even want to think about that. Although it would explain some of the idiot aggression we encounter while filtering etc. :whistle:

[Mikkel]

Another thing - I've never heard of anything like an angry stoner... The worst that can happen with pot is that you get paranoid and jumps in front of a truck after having pulled out all your teeth with a set of thongs because the thought police could hear what you were thinking because they had installed microphones in your teeth...

Actually I guess it could be quite fun to see a fistfight between two stoned out guys.

[BuFfY]

Mmm we were discussing this in mental health the other day, I watched the episode. We were talking about how when the emphasis goes onto, say drunk driving, and they have a major push toward stopping people from doing it, that there is a rise in another form of the similar. In this case, weed.
The lady on the show was just so sad at what she had done. People don't realise when they do things like this that it does in fact have an impact on the wider world. Some are lucky and get away with it, but others hurt or kill someone else. Is it worth it? uh... no!!

[Bren]

Having previously being a "stoner" I can say that I dont feel safe driving stoned....and the post about being paranoid is spot on.....Riding stoned is one thing but being a stoned pillion is another...bloody freaky!

Sorry guys, but I believe you can smoke all ya want at home....but stay off the roads for a while....

[jade]

I would say 90 percent of my riding would be stoned
Im someone who smokes more than once a day, The major difference I notice when riding high is I follow the speed limit more often than when I am straight
Ive never had any moments or close calls because I was stoned and I really do ' cruise ' a hell of a lot more
If you werent a regular smoker then it would be a terrible idea as its so much more intense.. pot is nothing to me, I wouldnt have a problem doing a trackday stoned at all (but I dont)
Ive had most crashes when sober, I guess because I was pushing that bit harder ?
When it comes to alcohol, you wont catch me drink driving ever, even a beer affects me, 2 beers is my absolute limit before getting on my bike
I wonder if anyone else out there does as I do, probably not stupid enough to admit it

shall we bring up the topic of smoking port royal or drum which has alcohol in it before riding..

[Toaster]

Not that I agree with doing either of these, but how the hell is being stoned at the wheel more dangerous than being drunk at the wheel?
Im sure that being stoned and holding up a bit of traffic has got to be less dangerous than an over confident drunk that cant judge distance and has fuck all reaction time.

:confused:But oh well, I guess they did the research.

I think the point that is being either stoned or drunk and driving/riding is just downright stupid.:stupid::Police:

[Jantar]

I would say 90 percent of my riding would be stoned
Im someone who smokes more than once a day, ..

From someone who has had more crashes than the average rider? There couldn't possibly be a connection could there? :no:

[Bren]

shall we bring up the topic of smoking port royal or drum which has alcohol in it before riding..

And what would you say the content of alcohol is in Port Royal (what I smoke)???

I think that you will find the content is nil...It has probably been soaked in Rum, then roasted...i dunno just guessing there.....but if there WAS alcohol in it dont you think there would be documentation of it in the packaging, somewhat like they do with Liquer filled chocolates (I love the whiskey ones)???

[RC1]

And what would you say the content of alcohol is in Port Royal (what I smoke)???

I think that you will find the content is nil...It has probably been soaked in Rum, then roasted...i dunno just guessing there.....but if there WAS alcohol in it dont you think there would be documentation of it in the packaging, somewhat like they do with Liquer filled chocolates (I love the whiskey ones)???

you will probabally find its just rum flavour or essence from what i understand

[canarlee]

Also, how do you prove someone is stoned when the THC in your blood post smoking a joint can remain for 3 weeks.

it stays in your system for nearer 3 months than three weeks mate, technology and science has moved on a helluva lot more in the last 15 to 20 years.

[canarlee]

"[/SIZE], it leads to fucking carpentry that's what!

agreed, that statement about weed leading to harder drugs is bullshit.

[canarlee]

Having previously being a "stoner" I can say that I dont feel safe driving stoned....and the post about being paranoid is spot on.



the voices tell me that im not paranoid. i dissagree

Sorry guys, but I believe you can smoke all ya want at home....but stay off the roads for a while....

and the last bit, i agree with you 100%

[canarlee]

sorry for the multi replies, im too stoned to be bothered with messing about trying to remember my comments to each post and editing them down and..........:bleh:

[Str8 Jacket]

I know people who some would call pretty big "stoners" they live normal lives while smoking weed and probably have at times gone to work a lil high but they NEVER ride a bike while stoned. Its all about personal responsibility.

[jrandom]

Seriously, folks, all that really matters here is whether cannabis diminishes driving and/or riding skills to the point where it should be illegal, as it is with alcohol, to be in control of a motor vehicle while under its influence.

A lot of the research done to date indicates that, in fact, THC may not be dangerously impairing below moderate levels. No point being reactionary and small-minded on the subject; science is science, and research data about human performance is the only valid argument.

Personally, I suspect that fatigue is a far greater risk factor when behind the wheel than being moderately stoned. Cannabis is simply not something that hammers the brain into uselessness like alcohol does.

And on the more general topic of people who condemn cannabis use, I can't help but find it funny when the same people roll home at 2am, reeking of booze and completely incoherent. We live in a very hypocritical society.

[Grahameeboy]

I think the point that is being either stoned or drunk and driving/riding is just downright stupid.:stupid::Police:

Yep but just remember that the majority of accidents are caused by sober / drug free accidents...........

[craigs288]

Bloody stoners...:tugger::doobey:



Full article here (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/9/story.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10469012)

I reckon it just looks like another pathetic excuse to increase the number of things an officer could give you a ticket for when they pull you over for whatever random reason they might choose to do so.

I'm sure their studies were directed appropriately, and the results worded in such a way as to make it seem like a prevalent offense going on that needs to be addressed immediately.

I'm sure stoners have been driving around NZ since the 60's, at least. If you took all accidents (alcohol, drugs, speed, tiredness etc ) since the 60's and compared the yearly road toll and the yearly population of licenced drivers, the two numbers tend to follow reasonably well. The greater number of drivers on the road, the more accidents occur due to each of the attributed causes.

If anything I think that in the last 10 years, cellphone texting needs to be factored into the equation. What proportion of the driving public on any given day use a cell phone while driving and have near misses or an accident.
It wasn't an issue back in the 60's, 70's, (80's?)

[Robert Taylor]

Having previously being a "stoner" I can say that I dont feel safe driving stoned....and the post about being paranoid is spot on.....Riding stoned is one thing but being a stoned pillion is another...bloody freaky!

Sorry guys, but I believe you can smoke all ya want at home....but stay off the roads for a while....

Regardless, the death penalty needs to be instated for growers and smugglers of these insidious illegal substances

[craigs288]

it stays in your system for nearer 3 months than three weeks mate, technology and science has moved on a helluva lot more in the last 15 to 20 years.

Allegedly, or so I have heard, allegedly, not wanting to admit to knowing anything, allegedly.

THC is a weak organic acid and so is citric acid ( vitamin C ) and when you mix two organic acids you get salt and water. Which is why, allegedly, when you are stoned and each fruit that is 'high' in vitamin C it staightens you up, allegedly. Or lots of orange juice in the morning to get rid of that stone-over, allegedly.

You can only absorb about 1000mg of vitamin C per day and the excess is flushed out of your system. But while the excess is in there, it is neutralising the THC. While I was in the Army, allegedly, that is what some other people may or may not have done to get around the random urine tests, allegedly, perhaps.

I don't know, all these alleged allegations. What is the world coming to.

[jrandom]

Regardless, the death penalty needs to be instated for growers and smugglers of these insidious illegal substances

God yes. Kill all stoners now!

But what are you gonna do about it, dude? The suspension is killing me!

:D

[craigs288]

Any one else had this weird problem.

I found myself one sunny lunchtime sitting at a park bench about halfway around the coro loop on my bike, but I couldn't remember how I got there. But the last thing I remembered was having a big fat joint in West Auckland. This really freaked me out so I had a big fat joint to calm my nerves.
Next thing I know I'm back home in West Auckland like it never happened. I decided I must have just been really stoned and it was all a dream and maybe aliens abducted me. So I had a big fat joint to calm my nerves.

But the really freaky thing!!! The clock on the wall had moved 6 hours!!
Arrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!

[merv]

Crikey craigs288 and guys like you are on our roads making it so safe for the rest of us!!

[craigs288]

Crikey craigs288 and guys like you are on our roads making it so safe for the rest of us!!

Sorry, I thought I was being funny/ironic/tongue in cheeks. I will stick to 'wasting' my sense of humour on myself. (oh, it never ends)

[Toaster]

Yep but just remember that the majority of accidents are caused by sober / drug free accidents...........

That may be true, but that really isn't a reason to allow it now does it. Tell that to the victims of drink and drugged drivers.

[Grahameeboy]

That may be true, but that really isn't a reason to allow it now does it. Tell that to the victims of drink and drugged drivers.

I agree and was not saying that it was a reason to allow it......but it is an interesting point

[Toaster]

I agree and was not saying that it was a reason to allow it......but it is an interesting point

Yes well, there are many reasons for crashes. There is no such thing as an accident - there is always fault, there is always a cause. Without a doubt always a tragedy.

Stupidity, inattention, drunkeness, drugged, distraction, cellphones, inexperience, not driving to the conditions, the list goes on.

[Grahameeboy]

Yes well, there are many reasons for crashes. There is no such thing as an accident - there is always fault, there is always a cause. Without a doubt always a tragedy.

Stupidity, inattention, drunkeness, drugged, distraction, cellphones, inexperience, not driving to the conditions, the list goes on.

So 'Human Error' then...................saves on paper so eco friendly....

[Usarka]

Yes well, there are many reasons for crashes. There is no such thing as an accident - there is always fault, there is always a cause. Without a doubt always a tragedy.

Stupidity, inattention, drunkeness, drugged, distraction, cellphones, inexperience, not driving to the conditions, the list goes on.

And the items which are preventably enforced: speeding, DIC, and now drugs. sadly this list doesn't go on.....

[canarlee]

no such thing as an accident?


bullshit.


your tyre blows out while on a 100 kph road and makes you veer into a central reservation, bouncing off that into cars. that is human error is it? i wouldnt say so, i would call that an..........damn whats that word? oh yes its an accident isnt it.

[canarlee]

Crikey craigs288 and guys like you are on our roads making it so safe for the rest of us!!


Sorry, I thought I was being funny/ironic/tongue in cheeks. I will stick to 'wasting' my sense of humour on myself. (oh, it never ends)

now now girls put the handbags down......

[Toaster]

no such thing as an accident?


bullshit.


your tyre blows out while on a 100 kph road and makes you veer into a central reservation, bouncing off that into cars. that is human error is it? i wouldnt say so, i would call that an..........damn whats that word? oh yes its an accident isnt it.

It called mechanical failure. It not an accident. Bullshit yourself.

[canarlee]

when it affected the other vehicles is when it became an accident, not the original "mechanical failure".

[Usarka]

when it affected the other vehicles is when it became an accident, not the original "mechanical failure".

i was wondering when the thread was going to get back to smoking drugs......

[peasea]

Sorry, I thought I was being funny/ironic/tongue in cheeks. I will stick to 'wasting' my sense of humour on myself. (oh, it never ends)

Well, I thought it was funny...............

[peasea]

It called mechanical failure. It not an accident. Bullshit yourself.

More pneumatic than mechanical.

[canarlee]

i was wondering when the thread was going to get back to smoking drugs......

well it is my day off, and im stuck waiting for the bleedin builder to get here. what else ya want me to do? no rude answers please (unless they from females;))

[Toaster]

when it affected the other vehicles is when it became an accident, not the original "mechanical failure".

I see what you are getting at, but I respectfully disagree and will explain.... the mechanical failure/fault as you will is the cause of the crash via the driver then failing to be able to retain control of the vehicle after incurring the blow-out. That fact that the vehicle then hit other vehicles is no accident, merely the resulting flow-on effects of the crash caused by a failure in the tyre.

Sad? yes. Tragedy? quite possibly. But it is no accident. There is always a cause or more than one contributing or aggravating factor as to why crashes occur.

[Toaster]

More pneumatic than mechanical.

That would be true.... I was being generic. But thanks :2thumbsup

[DMNTD]

Riding/driving under the influence of any perception altering substance should be avoided IMO.
If ya into a bit of weed smoke it at home,nothing wrong with it.

[Usarka]

Riding/driving under the influence of any perception altering substance should be avoided IMO.
If ya into a bit of weed smoke it at home,nothing wrong with it.

Bahahaha, waddaya mean a bit?????

[DMNTD]

Bahahaha, waddaya mean a bit?????
There's a huge difference between someone that smokes on occasion and a stoner.
Someone that has the occasion drink isn't an alcoholic are they?

[scumdog]

agreed, that statement about weed leading to harder drugs is bullshit.

Probably.
It's likely the losers that end up on harder drugs probably started off on cannabis, some people are natural addicts and would have ended up on harder stuff even without grass.

But some did start off on grass, got bored/mixed with worse loser drug addict types who suggested 'cmon mate, just one hit, frikkin magic I tell ya' and so on down the drug-drain...

[Usarka]

Any one else had this weird problem.

I found myself one sunny lunchtime sitting at a park bench about halfway around the coro loop on my bike, but I couldn't remember how I got there. But the last thing I remembered was having a big fat joint in West Auckland. This really freaked me out so I had a big fat joint to calm my nerves.
Next thing I know I'm back home in West Auckland like it never happened. I decided I must have just been really stoned and it was all a dream and maybe aliens abducted me. So I had a big fat joint to calm my nerves.

But the really freaky thing!!! The clock on the wall had moved 6 hours!!
Arrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!


I had a similar experience except one minute i was standing with a brush in my hand and the next i hoeing into a tub of orange choc chip ice cream.

bike was in mint condition when i wheeled it out the next day! sweeet.

[Robert Taylor]

God yes. Kill all stoners now!

But what are you gonna do about it, dude? The suspension is killing me!

:D

Thats because of the aggresive S-Rad link. No amount of mind altering substances are going to anathestise that backache device. We have a legal cure.

[_intense_]

Knew a guy who delighted in riding whilst blazed, and he kept wondering why he kept dropping his bike? be interesting to see the results of the study, and what theyve based the conclusions on.

[jrandom]

Thats because of the aggresive S-Rad link. No amount of mind altering substances are going to anathestise that backache device. We have a legal cure.

Yes, I'll be seeing you about that once the entrails are bolted back in...