Pot head drivers
Discussion
With the new kit the police have for testing for Pot how do they decide to test someone?
Booze is a fairly obvious one as they look drunk or act drunk or even smell of booze but generally its out of your system within say 12 hours and you are legal to drive.
Now with pot from what I know the effects can ware off in a few hours like booze but it stays in your system for quite a while, even weeks. There must be loads of these sober people on the roads just hoping they are not involved in an accident and get tested after smoking a week ago.
I know of just the person above, I dont agree with drink driving and also dont want pot heads driving round but if I report them and they get stopped this person may be getting charged when they are driving sober.
Booze is a fairly obvious one as they look drunk or act drunk or even smell of booze but generally its out of your system within say 12 hours and you are legal to drive.
Now with pot from what I know the effects can ware off in a few hours like booze but it stays in your system for quite a while, even weeks. There must be loads of these sober people on the roads just hoping they are not involved in an accident and get tested after smoking a week ago.
I know of just the person above, I dont agree with drink driving and also dont want pot heads driving round but if I report them and they get stopped this person may be getting charged when they are driving sober.
Edited by PAULJ5555 on Friday 9th March 13:36
AIUI they will generally test people if the car stinks of it, the majority of the people who are an issue happily drive along smoking away (I have followed cars where the smell is so strong I could smell it from my car)
I think you would have to be displaying some very bad symptoms to be tested willy nilly
I think you would have to be displaying some very bad symptoms to be tested willy nilly
Paul Dishman said:
If anyone is driving with excess alcohol / cannabis / opiate in their blood then they should all face the same penalty of a lengthy period of disqualification.
I think the issue is that Cannabis stays in your system for a lot longer than you are stoned so although it's in your system, you won't be feeling/ showing any effects so is it not perhaps a little "unfair" that you can be nicked for driving under the influence when you're not actually under the influence?...but what if I told you cannabis use doesn't make drivers more prone to getting involved in accidents?
"In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
"In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
eybic said:
Paul Dishman said:
If anyone is driving with excess alcohol / cannabis / opiate in their blood then they should all face the same penalty of a lengthy period of disqualification.
I think the issue is that Cannabis stays in your system for a lot longer than you are stoned so although it's in your system, you won't be feeling/ showing any effects so is it not perhaps a little "unfair" that you can be nicked for driving under the influence when you're not actually under the influence?https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/0...
"A new study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that drivers who use marijuana are at a significantly lower risk for a crash than drivers who use alcohol. And after adjusting for age, gender, race and alcohol use, drivers who tested positive for marijuana were no more likely to crash than who had not used any drugs or alcohol prior to driving."
"A new study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that drivers who use marijuana are at a significantly lower risk for a crash than drivers who use alcohol. And after adjusting for age, gender, race and alcohol use, drivers who tested positive for marijuana were no more likely to crash than who had not used any drugs or alcohol prior to driving."
Edited by vsonix on Friday 9th March 13:18
vsonix said:
...but what if I told you cannabis use doesn't make drivers more prone to getting involved in accidents?
"In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
Totally agree. "In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
Blinkered "it's the law, so there" opinions are just "yawn"
To the OP - my mrs had a crash into parked cars. Police came (she was in a state of shock and called them). As a matter of routine they breathalised her, but they didn't swab her. So it is not routine, like breath testing is.
I have a copper friend who told me last week that they are banning cannabis drivers at a rate that makes drunk driing bans pale into insignificance.
p.s. my mrs crashed because she was broken-tired after 2 days flying and driving for work. I'd far rather have pot smokers on the road than tired drivers. It puts things into perspective when people just use the law as a benchmark for morals.
I have a copper friend who told me last week that they are banning cannabis drivers at a rate that makes drunk driing bans pale into insignificance.
p.s. my mrs crashed because she was broken-tired after 2 days flying and driving for work. I'd far rather have pot smokers on the road than tired drivers. It puts things into perspective when people just use the law as a benchmark for morals.
Paul Dishman said:
No, I don't think its unfair at all. I don't want it to be become acceptable that there is any safe limit for consuming an illegal psychotropic substance and I certainly don't want to share the roads with people who are irresponsible enough to take illegal drugs. There are enough problems with people driving while on prescription drugs as it is.
What if they take it legally in different country then fly home a week later but sober. People are not irrisponsible because the goverment says its illegal, look at booze/fags that is legal, getting pi55ed every day would be fine then because its legal.
I smoked a fair amount of weed back in the day and there is no way you can say it will not impair you when driving, anyone who does it should face the same penalties as drink drivers.
The majority on here who do it and admit to it say there's nothing wrong with driving whilst stoned off your face, and it's harmless, I think it's bullsh*t personally.
The majority on here who do it and admit to it say there's nothing wrong with driving whilst stoned off your face, and it's harmless, I think it's bullsh*t personally.
vsonix said:
...but what if I told you cannabis use doesn't make drivers more prone to getting involved in accidents?
"In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
Speaking from personal experience, and from way back when I was a yoof, being stoned ruins your reaction times and speed of thought, and clouds your decision making abilities. All things pretty essential to driving a car safely. "In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
RogerDodger said:
vsonix said:
...but what if I told you cannabis use doesn't make drivers more prone to getting involved in accidents?
"In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
Totally agree. "In a recent study, 4AutoinsuranceQuote.com, a national quote provider for online car insurance quotes, cites a strong correlation between traffic-related accidents and marijuana use. The study, which looks at statistics regarding accidents, traffic violations, and insurance prices, seeks to dispel the thought that “driving while stoned” is dangerous.
In the study, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com points out that the only significant effect that marijuana has on operating a motor vehicle is slower driving. 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com says, while referencing a study by the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that driving slower “is arguably a positive thing” and that driving under the influence of marijuana “might even make you a safer driver.” A similar study by the NHTSA shows that drivers with THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in their system have accident responsibility rates below that of drug free drivers.
In fact, a recent study shows that use of medical marijuana has caused traffic related fatalities to drop by up to nine percent in states that have legalized its use. This study, titled “Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption”, conducted by Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees in November 2011, shows that increased marijuana use amongst adults has decreased alcohol related traffic deaths in said states. This study provides solid evidence that marijuana is not only a safe substitute for alcohol, but it also makes for more safer drivers."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9375729....
Blinkered "it's the law, so there" opinions are just "yawn"
It's not my poison of choice - I get tested at work regularly anyway - but I'd rather a stoner drive near me than someone (for example) at risk of a diabetic coma, someone distracted by screaming kids, or someone with an anger issue.
Jazoli said:
I smoked a fair amount of weed back in the day and there is no way you can say it will not impair you when driving, anyone who does it should face the same penalties as drink drivers.
The majority on here who do it and admit to it say there's nothing wrong with driving whilst stoned off your face, and it's harmless, I think it's bullsh*t personally.
It's more that you swab "positive" for the substance but not ever have been "Driving Under the Influence". It's not like alcohol, where if it's there, it's presently affecting your brain.The majority on here who do it and admit to it say there's nothing wrong with driving whilst stoned off your face, and it's harmless, I think it's bullsh*t personally.
From the NHS website:
"It depends on how often and how much cannabis a person smokes and the potency (strength) of the cannabis.
In general, the less cannabis that’s smoked, and the less often it’s smoked, the quicker it leaves the body.
THC, the active chemical in cannabis, is stored in the fat cells and therefore takes longer to fully clear the body than any other common drug. The stronger the strain of cannabis, the more THC it contains.
Drug testing equipment, as used by the police, works by measuring the amount of THC in a urine sample.
A review of data compiled by the US National Drug Court Institute estimated that:
an occasional or first-time user would probably test positive up to four days after last using
a frequent user would probably test positive up to 10 days after last using
a very heavy user could test positive up to one to two months after last using"
How the hell can you be "under the influence" 2 months after a smoke? The fact it's in your system certainly doesn't mean that it is affecting you. The sampling method above is the old one but even so.
"It depends on how often and how much cannabis a person smokes and the potency (strength) of the cannabis.
In general, the less cannabis that’s smoked, and the less often it’s smoked, the quicker it leaves the body.
THC, the active chemical in cannabis, is stored in the fat cells and therefore takes longer to fully clear the body than any other common drug. The stronger the strain of cannabis, the more THC it contains.
Drug testing equipment, as used by the police, works by measuring the amount of THC in a urine sample.
A review of data compiled by the US National Drug Court Institute estimated that:
an occasional or first-time user would probably test positive up to four days after last using
a frequent user would probably test positive up to 10 days after last using
a very heavy user could test positive up to one to two months after last using"
How the hell can you be "under the influence" 2 months after a smoke? The fact it's in your system certainly doesn't mean that it is affecting you. The sampling method above is the old one but even so.
Edited by eybic on Friday 9th March 13:48
Paul Dishman said:
Its the law for a good reason. I've dealt with enough people with serious mental health problems during my career not to be as sanguine as you.
Sorry, but I totally disagree with this law. This law is also the reason that all the kids can buy now is superskunk.Prohibition has always failed, causes untold misery and an epic % of crime- organised and petty.
RogerDodger said:
Paul Dishman said:
Its the law for a good reason. I've dealt with enough people with serious mental health problems during my career not to be as sanguine as you.
Sorry, but I totally disagree with this law. This law is also the reason that all the kids can buy now is superskunk.Prohibition has always failed, causes untold misery and an epic % of crime- organised and petty.

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