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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 31, 2003, at 15:22:52
Just thought I'd post this because it finally validates what I've long thought to be the case. Everyone I've ever known has said they drive better stoned! lol
~~~
NO PROOF CANNABIS PUT DRIVERS AT RISK
Studies had found it impossible to prove cannabis adversely affected driving, an Adelaide University researcher said yesterday.
Professor Jack Maclean, director of the road accident research unit, said, while there was no doubt alcohol affected driving adversely, that was not the case with marijuana.
"It has been impossible to prove marijuana affects driving adversely," he told the Australian Driver Fatigue Conference in Sydney.
"There is no doubt marijuana affects performance but it may be it affects it in a favourable way by reducing risk-taking."
Professor Maclean said a study of blood samples taken by SA hospitals from people injured in road accidents found marijuana was the second most common drug, after alcohol, in the bloodstream.
Those with marijuana in their blood, however, were at fault in less than half of the accidents.
"Alcohol was by far the most common drug and 80 per cent of those with alcohol on board were judged to be responsible ( for accidents )," he said.
"The next most common drug, but much less, was marijuana and about 48 per cent of the people with marijuana were judged to have been responsible for their crash."
He said the lack of proof that marijuana was detrimental to driving was not because of a lack of effort by researchers.
"I can say that there are some quite distinguished researchers who are going through incredible contortions to try and prove that marijuana has to be a problem," he said.
Professor Maclean said some researchers also found the risk of crashing while driving at the speed limit in a metropolitan area actually decreased if a driver had been drinking but was under the 0.05 blood alcohol limit.
"Perhaps for some people one or two glasses of alcohol may steady them down," he said.
As speed and alcohol concentration rose, however, the risk of accidents rose exponentially.
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 31, 2003, at 17:32:32
In reply to Cannabis and Driving -- An Ignored Study, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 31, 2003, at 15:22:52
I dunno about that.. cannabis has affected my walking severely at times, let alone my driving ability!!
Personally, I know that my reaction time is much slower stoned, so I don't think someone should smoke and drive the same way I don't agree with drink driving.
Nikki
Posted by Kacy on November 1, 2003, at 15:04:10
In reply to Cannabis and Driving -- An Ignored Study, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 31, 2003, at 15:22:52
> Professor Maclean said some researchers also found the risk of crashing while driving at the speed limit in a metropolitan area actually decreased if a driver had been drinking but was under the 0.05 blood alcohol limit.
> "Perhaps for some people one or two glasses of alcohol may steady them down," he said.
My stoner days are long past, but I don't remember any driving problems from then.I have a tendency to carry a lot of unneccessary stress around with me. I caused an accident once that was the result of stress. A glass of wine would have prevented that. Next time I am that preoccupied, I'll consider half a beer or half a glass of wine before driving. It could improve my attentiveness.
Could low levels of alcohol/dopamine be an "upper" for ADD/inattentive types and others as well? It wouldn't be a "steadying me down" issue since I'm never hyper. Maybe it steadies the hyper Add types.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 4, 2003, at 15:35:46
In reply to Cannabis and Driving -- An Ignored Study, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 31, 2003, at 15:22:52
I'm sure it's just the munchies while driving that causes the risk. <grin>
> Just thought I'd post this because it finally validates what I've long thought to be the case. Everyone I've ever known has said they drive better stoned! lol
>
> ~~~
>
> NO PROOF CANNABIS PUT DRIVERS AT RISK
>
> Studies had found it impossible to prove cannabis adversely affected driving, an Adelaide University researcher said yesterday.
>
> Professor Jack Maclean, director of the road accident research unit, said, while there was no doubt alcohol affected driving adversely, that was not the case with marijuana.
>
> "It has been impossible to prove marijuana affects driving adversely," he told the Australian Driver Fatigue Conference in Sydney.
>
> "There is no doubt marijuana affects performance but it may be it affects it in a favourable way by reducing risk-taking."
>
> Professor Maclean said a study of blood samples taken by SA hospitals from people injured in road accidents found marijuana was the second most common drug, after alcohol, in the bloodstream.
>
> Those with marijuana in their blood, however, were at fault in less than half of the accidents.
>
> "Alcohol was by far the most common drug and 80 per cent of those with alcohol on board were judged to be responsible ( for accidents )," he said.
>
> "The next most common drug, but much less, was marijuana and about 48 per cent of the people with marijuana were judged to have been responsible for their crash."
>
> He said the lack of proof that marijuana was detrimental to driving was not because of a lack of effort by researchers.
>
> "I can say that there are some quite distinguished researchers who are going through incredible contortions to try and prove that marijuana has to be a problem," he said.
>
> Professor Maclean said some researchers also found the risk of crashing while driving at the speed limit in a metropolitan area actually decreased if a driver had been drinking but was under the 0.05 blood alcohol limit.
>
> "Perhaps for some people one or two glasses of alcohol may steady them down," he said.
>
> As speed and alcohol concentration rose, however, the risk of accidents rose exponentially.
This is the end of the thread.
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