cannabisnews.com: UK Doc Group: Tests Needed to Stop Drugged Driving
UK Doc Group: Tests Needed to Stop Drugged Driving
Posted by FoM on March 12, 2002 at 12:48:12 PT
By Richard Woodman
Source: Reuters
The British Medical Association (BMA) said on Tuesday that testing devices were urgently needed to stop motorists from driving under the influence of drugs. "People generally accept that you shouldn't drink and drive but probably have no idea about the effects of drugs on their driving ability," said the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, Dr. Vivienne Nathanson.
"And we're not just talking about illegal drugs but prescribed ones, too. Millions of people regularly take drugs like antidepressants, painkillers, antihistamines and cough mixtures, all of which can have a sedative effect, and yet most of these people probably think it's totally safe for them to drive," Nathanson added. The BMA said in a statement that the number of people involved in fatal road accidents who tested positive for cannabis had increased fourfold from 3% to 12% in Britain between the 1980s and 1990s. The BMA fears that this number will rise further given the increasing use of drugs. Nearly half of 16- to 24-year-olds in England and Wales report having tried cannabis and 39% claim to have taken hallucinogens. "Cannabis is the most frequently detected illicit drug in accident fatalities and is known to impair coordination, visual perception, tracking and vigilance," according to the BMA. Developing an effective device to assess the effects of drugs on driving ability would be difficult and the government should coordinate research efforts, the BMA said. "Levels of drugs in the body, degrees of impairment and how long a drug remains in the body all need to be evaluated. Alcohol often exaggerates the effects of drugs so any testing device would also need to measure the potential effect of a drug when consumed with alcohol. "The fact that cannabis can be found in blood as long as 28 days or even longer after last use demonstrates how difficult it would be to predict whether or not a driver's ability had been adversely affected by the drug," the BMA stated. Meanwhile, Bristol University physiologist Dr. Dilwyn Marple-Horvat said on Monday he was testing a device that could immobilise vehicles if it detects drivers are unfit to drive as a result of drugs, alcohol or any other reason. The system uses an infrared camera to track the driver's eye movements, a sensor on the steering wheel to monitor every turn, and a computer to measure the delay between the driver looking in the new direction of travel and moving the steering wheel. Driving while under the influence of drugs is an offence in Britain and drugged drivers face the same penalties as those who drive under the influence of alcohol. However, the law does not state any legal limit for drugs as it does for alcohol. Source: ReutersAuthor: Richard Woodman Published: March 12, 2002Copyright: 2002 Reuters UnlimitedRelated Articles & Web Site:British Medical Journalhttp://www.bmj.com/Drug-Drive Tests To Be Compulsoryhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11661.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by Annie62 on April 23, 2002 at 13:36:32 PT:
RE: For San Adams
I just discovered this site through a friend. I joined in order to read & send commemts. You have the same thoughts as me, BUT I"M MAD AS HELL. Your note says it all plus GOVERMENT, & that's my biggest fear. With the evil one in the BIG HOUSE {GOD FORBID ANOTHER 4 YRS} if he gets his way watch out. This America will never be the same it's becoming another Germany!! Religion & state are supposed to have that separation that is written. I"ve changed issues, SORRY. Lets hope this country & the few states that chose to help ill people will win. Lets face it the drug war isn't doing nothing but spending lots of our $$$ PEACE & health from an old pot smoker. ha Thanks for bearing with my rambling. ANNIE62 LET me hear from U & what U think on the other subjects I"ve mentioned. OK
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Comment #3 posted by observer on March 12, 2002 at 15:03:48 PT
(Weasel) Words from the Wise
The BMA said in a statement that the number of people involved in fatal road accidents who tested positive for cannabis had increased fourfold from 3% to 12% in Britain between the 1980s and 1990s. . . . "Cannabis is the most frequently detected illicit drug in accident fatalities and is known to impair coordination, visual perception, tracking and vigilance," according to the BMA.The clever docs get points for weasel-wording. But it proves nothing. Cannabis consumption has increased during that time period, as has testing for it. That 9% more people should test positive today for cannabis use is hardly surprising, though it certainly is a commentary on the effectiveness of cannabis prohibition.Cannabis/Driving StudiesAustralia: No Proof Cannabis Put Drivers At Risk (2001)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1849/a09.htmlUK: Cannabis May Make You A Safer Driver (2000)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1161/a02.html University Of Toronto Study Shows Marijuana Not A Factor In Driving Accidents (1999)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases\1999\03\990325110700.htm Australia: Cannabis Crash Risk Less: Study (1998)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n945/a08.html Australia: Study Goes to Pot (1998)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n947/a06.html
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Comment #2 posted by Jose Melendez on March 12, 2002 at 14:17:05 PT:
Habitual prohibitionists depend on ignorance
From:http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/research16/
Overall, it is possible to conclude that cannabis has a measurable effect on psychomotor performance, particularly tracking ability. Its effect on higher cognitive functions, for example divided attention tasks associated with driving, appear not to be as critical. Drivers under the influence of cannabis seem aware that they are impaired, and attempt to compensate by reducing the difficulty of the driving task, for example by driving more slowly.
See also:http://www.ccguide.org.uk/driving.html
The truth about driving and cannabis
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on March 12, 2002 at 13:36:02 PT
I've got a better idea
"The system uses an infrared camera to track the driver's eye movements, a sensor on the steering wheel to monitor every turn, and a computer to measure the delay between the driver looking in the new direction of travel and moving the steering wheel."Why not just make it illegal to drive unless a government representative is sitting in the car with you?
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