Smoking a lottapot causes accidents

[Biff]

Scientists from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, say their study is the first proof that there is a link between using cannabis and (car) accidents.

Courtesy of the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4498419.stm

It's good to see that the NZ govt is paying a group of 'scientists' to get stoned and uncover importantgroundbreaking discoveries. I understand that they're now all off to McDonalds in order to attempt to discover whether there's any truth behind the rumour that Big Macs make you fat.

[scumdog]

Don't laugh BB - I hate to think how many crashes are treated as "careless use" when they could have been "driving under the influence of drink or drug"

Driving/riding is a hazard without adding mind bending substances.

[N4CR]

Yeah... I seemed to be behind someone on 'P' or something last week... He seemed to be very violent at people doing 50 in 50 zones... waving around punching the cage etc.... randomly 'spazzing' etc... I backed off quite a bit

I suppose anyone can summarise that weed would make your driving rather bad lol!

[spudchucka]

I understand that they're now all off to McDonalds in order to attempt to discover whether there's any truth behind the rumour that Big Macs make you fat.

There isn't any science involved, they just got the munchies!

[Biff]

Don't laugh BB - I hate to think how many crashes are treated as "careless use" when they could have been "driving under the influence of drink or drug"

Driving/riding is a hazard without adding mind bending substances.

Not laughing at the facts SD - but aren’t their conclusions common sense? You simply shouldn't be in control of any motor vehicle while stoned. Education is key here.

I take your point about potential incorrect recording of accidents but unless a fool proof way of testing all drivers involved in accidents and road side testing is developed then we’ve made very little progress in preventing or detecting this crime.

I know that in the UK they have been trialling roadside test kits for years, without any real conclusion as to their effectiveness. The only 'proper' tests are conducted back at the police cell by a doctor who takes blood/urine samples.

Off topic somewhat - According to recent research in the US cat owners are 75% more likely to crash their cars than non cat owners. The reason being is that cats carry the a parasite that effects the cognative functions of their owners casuing them to take unnesecary risks and make poor decisions.

So I say we should all smoke pussy.

[pyrocam]

Not laughing at the facts SD - but aren’t their conclusions common sense? You simply shouldn't be in control of any motor vehicle while stoned. Education is key here.

I take your point about potential incorrect recording of accidents but unless a fool proof way of testing all drivers involved in accidents and road side testing is developed then we’ve made very little progress in preventing or detecting this crime.

I know that in the UK they have been trialling roadside test kits for years, without any real conclusion as to their effectiveness. The only 'proper' tests are conducted back at the police cell by a doctor who takes blood/urine samples.

Off topic somewhat - According to recent research in the US cat owners are 75% more likely to crash their cars than non cat owners. The reason being is that cats carry the a parasite that effects the cognative functions of their owners casuing them to take unnesecary risks and make poor decisions.

So I say we should all smoke pussy.

LOL BiffBaff!

but the statement itself is kinda, well you would have to be, um, if you didnt know that your pretty... ummm what was I talking about?

No but seriously. of course anything that alters your consciosness (booze, pot, acid whatever) is going to affect your judgement and decisions. of course not always for the worse. I knew someone who would drive under the heavy influence of pot, he was an idiot but apparently everyone said he drove really well under the influence. Personally I didnt know because I'd never get in the car with someone 'under the influence' of anything.

[ManDownUnder]

Scientists from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, say their study is the first proof that there is a link between using cannabis and (car) accidents.

Courtesy of the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4498419.stm

It's good to see that the NZ govt is paying a group of 'scientists' to get stoned and uncover importantgroundbreaking discoveries. I understand that they're now all off to McDonalds in order to attempt to discover whether there's any truth behind the rumour that Big Macs make you fat.

Good GOD - NO!! Are they serious - whoever would have thought that mind state altering drugs would somehow affect your ability to drive a vehicle...

WOW. I'm blessed to be in a country where the intelligensia is capable of uncovering such deeply hidden events.

Taking drugs correlates with accident... I just can't get over it.

While on the topic of apparently unrelated issues... ever noticed that thumping headache that happens after a big night on the booze? It just ssems to happen... I wonder if there's any link.

How about petrol companies putting up prices. I mean they're clearly not a cartel but wow - the co-incidence is striking.

There's a few more I could think of but.. well... my keyboard is being devalued at I type and I can think of better things to be doing...

Keep up the good research BB...
!
MDU

[MikeL]

Did any of you people bother to read the whole article - including the last two paragraphs??

Perhaps it would be a good idea to do so before making any comments about "obvious" cause and effect...

[Biff]

I knew someone who would drive under the heavy influence of pot, he was an idiot but apparently everyone said he drove really well under the influence.

I know what you mean, but I would have hated to see if he could have reacted in time to avoid hitting a young kid who suddenly ran out in front of him.

[cheetor]

Funny noone has noticed that the supposed weed at the top of the bbc report isnt weed at all?

and if it is, its REALY shit quality

[Teflon]

I suppose anyone can summarise that weed would make your driving rather bad lol!

I don't think so.

A mate i ride with has to have a cone at every petrol stop. He rides fine.

[ManDownUnder]

Did any of you people bother to read the whole article - including the last two paragraphs??

Perhaps it would be a good idea to do so before making any comments about "obvious" cause and effect...

Sure did... and I also read the first one...
"The scientists from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, say their study is the first proof that there is a link between using cannabis and accidents. "

It's a bit worrying that someone actually comissioned this study. I wonder if the effects of a brick falling on your foot has been researched... I mean it's obvious it'll hurt but do they really know... empirically

Anecdotally however...

[Lou Girardin]

Scientists from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, say their study is the first proof that there is a link between using cannabis and (car) accidents.

.

But they do go on to say that it's inconclusive whether it's the cannabis use that is the causative factor of accidents or is it the nature of the heavy users. (smoking daily)
In other words, those types of people are a risk whether they're stoned or not.
Other tests on the different effects on driving between dope and drink, generally showed smokers to be less or no risk. But combine dope and drink and you really do have a killer.

[MikeL]

Sure did... and I also read the first one...
"The scientists from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, say their study is the first proof that there is a link between using cannabis and accidents. "

It's a bit worrying that someone actually comissioned this study. I wonder if the effects of a brick falling on your foot has been researched... I mean it's obvious it'll hurt but do they really know... empirically

Anecdotally however...

Sorry... a bit confusing (confused?) I was referring to the Herald report, not the BBC article( should have made it clear). In the Herald the last 2 paragraphs look at the possibility that the link is not a causal one, but circumstantial - i.e. the same (psychological) factors that lead to unsafe driving behaviour also lead to drug use...