20% of people killed on roads

[busa_rush]

. . . according to an AA spokesman on TV tonight, 20% of all people killed on the roads have at least a trace of an illegal substance in their blood. (Didn't say they were driving !)

Is this true ? Does seem pretty high to me. Anybody else got figures ?

[stackmonkey]

I don't have the figures, but a surprisingly high number have dope in the system. (both drivers and pedestrians) (myself excluded).

Having said that, the testing techniques can now pick up the equivalent of less than a teaspoon of sugar un a swimming pool ( No, i'm not kidding).

[kurgis]

Last I heard 1/4 or 1/5 had cannabis - of course it stays in the blood stream for upto 30+ days so its the only one really detectable - but dangerous nonetheless.
Off the top of my head - cocaine is out of the system in 24 hours, heroin in 48 (could be other way round) so unless the autopsy is absolutely immediate (or testing) chances of picking anything up other than cannabis are slight - could be wrong on the times - been a few months since I went on a drug awareness course.

Just before people get on soapboxes - how good do you think your reactions would be to lets say:

A pedestrian suddenly walking out in front of you if you're smashed out of your face on a dozen spliffs driving along?

Now, before I get the deltaf and nonegreen brigade jumping in and saying "he shouldn't of walked out!", if the driver was aware of the possible accident (despite pedestrian stupidity) would/could of possibly been avoided...

I'll get my flak jacket ready for the replies

[kenp]

stackmonkey said:

Having said that, the testing techniques can now pick up the equivalent of less than a teaspoon of sugar un a swimming pool ( No, i'm not kidding).

Shit, better go and drain the pool. There must be nearly an ounce of sugar in there. I didn't even know it was illegal. Honest Guv.

[nonegreen]

kurgis said:

Last I heard 1/4 or 1/5 had cannabis - of course it stays in the blood stream for upto 30+ days so its the only one really detectable - but dangerous nonetheless. Off the top of my head - cocaine is out of the system in 24 hours, heroin in 48 (could be other way round) so unless the autopsy is absolutely immediate (or testing) chances of picking anything up other than cannabis are slight - could be wrong on the times - been a few months since I went on a drug awareness course. Just before people get on soapboxes - how good do you think your reactions would be to lets say: A pedestrian suddenly walking out in front of you if you're smashed out of your face on a dozen spliffs driving along? Now, before I get the deltaf and nonegreen brigade jumping in and saying "he shouldn't of walked out!", if the driver was aware of the possible accident (despite pedestrian stupidity) would/could of possibly been avoided... I'll get my flak jacket ready for the replies

So Kurgis, when you want my opinion you give it to me eh?

I tried cannabis for quite a few months about 25 years ago. All it really did was lead to silly behaviour and then sleep. The following day it had no discernable effect on driving skill as at that time I was so f'in bonkers I was always driving on the limit and would certainly have crashed the car. I however, advocate scrapping all motoring legislation all the way back to 1964. I don't think I care if the number of deaths goes up as a result, it helps improve the gene pool.

[WildCat]

Well, bio-chemist hat on (my job!) -- Kurgis is right - stays in blood stream for long time. Most addicts - sustained and prolonged use - residual for lot longer.

Husband is blood specialist. Now has ways of finding if you had been drinking 4-5 weeks after you caused the accident. Better shave your heads - guys. Hair retains the drugs and the drink longer than your blood and guts!

And you should not even drive on an aspirin! Lemsips? Mix that with speed (both kinds! and ..)

Viagra? For those "OTT petrolheads" who need it! Forget driving!

But Kurgis - same thing applies to pedestrians and cyclists. (especially cyclists! - )



>> Edited by WildCat on Monday 5th April 23:55

[nonegreen]

WildCat said:

Well, bio-chemist hat on (my job!) -- And you should not even drive on an aspirin!

Interesting, so thats me never driving, ever again then cos I take one daily.

I am sure you have good clinical evidence for the statement, however I think this is all going just a bit too far.

For all those who find the road risk too much there is a simple answer. Get together and demand that your taxes are spent on creating a road free, risk free enclave somewhere in rural UK. Then we help you move in and you can live happily ever after. (Also has the added advantage that if they keep bleating at us we can just send the RAF in).

[streaky]

And probably 100% of UK citizens have traces of illegal substances on the banknotes in their pockets.

The point is that minute quantities of "presence" have become more easily detectable, and reporting of such "presences" often takes no account of base levels or the lack of any effects of such very small quantities.

Having said that, I do not condone the taking of drugs and abhore those who drive "under the influence".

Streaky

[WildCat]

nonegreen said:

WildCat said: Well, bio-chemist hat on (my job!) -- And you should not even drive on an aspirin! Interesting, so thats me never driving, ever again then cos I take one daily. I am sure you have good clinical evidence for the statement, however I think this is all going just a bit too far. For all those who find the road risk too much there is a simple answer. Get together and demand that your taxes are spent on creating a road free, risk free enclave somewhere in rural UK. Then we help you move in and you can live happily ever after. (Also has the added advantage that if they keep bleating at us we can just send the RAF in).

Ach nonegreen Liebchen!

You are mix of chemicals and everything you shovel in - causes a chain reaction.

Aunty Mary never liked me telling her that all living is dangerous

You will be OK with one aspirin - so long as you do not swallow with amber nectar!

[Size Nine Elm]

kurgis said:

Just before people get on soapboxes - how good do you think your reactions would be to lets say: A pedestrian suddenly walking out in front of you if you're smashed out of your face on a dozen spliffs driving along?

Hey, look at all the cool red swirls on the windscreen!

[Mr E]

Does LSD not lurk in your system for *years*. Hence the flashbacks.......

I'd suggest that if you randomly tested people in the street, about that ratio would show up with something illegal in their bloodstream. So, logically, having smoked a joint earlier in the week makes you no more likely to be killed on the roads.

[fish]

Cannabis effects your ability to drive I beleive for upto 3 days after a joint.

Research was done on pilots in the military and 3 non cannabis smokers were given ONE joint and asked to fly the mission all crashed(in a sim). They were asked to fly it agian in 24hrs all said they felt perfect. None of them managed to perform adequately, all underperformed their previous non cannabis standard. One landed off the runway and the other two had lots of problems.

I don't agree with smoking and driving....

[Mr E]

Sir Fish - most interesting indeed. Got a source for that info so I can have a browse in more depth?

For my own interest - I very rarely dabble these days.

[Dodgy Dave]

Round where i live allot of the "Watch Your Speed" signs were edited to read "Snort Your Speed".

Seriously though dont forget that allot of "Facts" about drugs come from the same type of person thats convinced that "Speed Kills"

But then maybe the drug they keep finding in people killed on the roads is speed hence the sign's

[WildCat]

Dodgy Dave said:

Round where i live allot of the "Watch Your Speed" signs were edited to read "Snort Your Speed". Seriously though dont forget that allot of "Facts" about drugs come from the same type of person thats convinced that "Speed Kills" But then maybe the drug they keep finding in people killed on the roads is speed hence the sign's

Really?

And the weird one in Wales wants to legalise most of them "because they are not very dangerous"


A lot of the facts about drugs come from people like me who know what they are talking about!

And Dick Ed in Wales does not!

Please do not get me started on that again! That and singing hedhogs (probably Hattie is on 'em too) -to much to cope with

(Senior bio-chemist for one of top 5 drugs companies!)

[Dodgy Dave]

Fair enough but I wonder what the percentage would be of people killed on the roads that had legal drugs in their blood???

[WildCat]

Should think fair number. You all under-estimate "over the counter" and "health shop fads"

You should read the labels properly!

It is being researched though!

[Sgt^Roc]

busa_rush said:

. . . according to an AA spokesman on TV tonight, 20% of all people killed on the roads have at least a trace of an illegal substance in their blood. (Didn't say they were driving !) Is this true ? Does seem pretty high to me. Anybody else got figures ?

It is a "Flyer" m8 one of those little statistics "right or wrong the government puts out to test the water,,,, relative to their next money/tax orientated policy they want to introduce...or it could be a headline designed to devert our attention from what they are really up to...

>> Edited by sgt^roc on Monday 14th June 17:48

[Mrs Fish]

James here:

Mr E I don't have any links as it's from memory. I am sure I have the facts as per what I was told.

Did you know that if you are aircrew(RAF) and you had you drink spiked with LSD and you admit to it, your straight off flying due to the risk of flashback....interesting

[Mr E]

I don't doubt you for a second. I was just interested in the tests they did.

And yes, I was told an interesting story about how they discovered that LSD gave you flashbacks for years. It also involves aircraft, and might actually be true as well......