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In reply to the discussion: How will over-the-limit, DUI driving infractions be determined [View all]limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)35. I'm not against something like the THC tests because it may be the price we have to pay to
reassure a nervous public, so we can pass the laws to get legal weed.
But I think some of the fears of increased public safety risk on the road may be unfounded. I really think legalization will decrease the amount of people driving high, but it's only a hunch, maybe like your hunch.
Here is an interesting article I found, but this is just one article.
Economists Daniel Rees of the University of Colorado Denver and Mark Anderson of Montana State University looked at traffic fatalities in thirteen states that enacted medical marijuana laws between 1990 and 2009. They found that on average, traffic fatalities in those states fell nearly 9 percent after medical pot became legal.
Whats going on is that young adults especially males were drinking less when medical marijuana became legal, Rees tells ABC News, pointing to data from the Beer Institute that showed a drop in beer sales in states with new medical marijuana laws. You legalize medical marijuana and the highways become safer.
Why? Rees and Anderson have two theories.
One hypothesis is that its just safer to drive under the influence of marijuana than it is drunk, Rees says. Drunk drivers take more risk, they tend to go faster. They dont realize how impaired they are. People who are under the influence of marijuana drive slower, they dont take as many risks.
The other theory, Rees says, is that people smoking marijuana simply dont go out as much. ...
via http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/12/02/driving-stoned-safer-than-driving-drunk/
Whats going on is that young adults especially males were drinking less when medical marijuana became legal, Rees tells ABC News, pointing to data from the Beer Institute that showed a drop in beer sales in states with new medical marijuana laws. You legalize medical marijuana and the highways become safer.
Why? Rees and Anderson have two theories.
One hypothesis is that its just safer to drive under the influence of marijuana than it is drunk, Rees says. Drunk drivers take more risk, they tend to go faster. They dont realize how impaired they are. People who are under the influence of marijuana drive slower, they dont take as many risks.
The other theory, Rees says, is that people smoking marijuana simply dont go out as much. ...
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But, as with alcohol, just because you can walk a more or less straight line
Surya Gayatri
Dec 2012
#3
An experienced cop can find a reason to pull anyone over after following them
morningfog
Dec 2012
#51
Agree about some elderly drivers--a menace to themselves and everybody else.
Surya Gayatri
Dec 2012
#56
I've been wondering how they would measure how much under the influence with pot ...
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#5
Yeah, that's a disaster. I knew about it but am across the boarder in Idaho. It almost makes
brewens
Dec 2012
#57
Dude. Getting pulled over kills your buzz! You can pass that field sobriety test no problem!
brewens
Dec 2012
#54
I've wondered the same. Maybe some form of sobriety test for walking, hand/body positions and all
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#2
Pot should be legal everyplace. What I was wondering is how is a fair test administered if
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#88
I went to school with a guy that claimed the same for alcohol. He said if he had had a few
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#9
I've come across drivers at night going along slowly, maybe 45 in a 55 zone ...
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#20
For several days or even up to a week. If you've toked up within the last
Surya Gayatri
Dec 2012
#16
Businesses etc. can titrate the tests to allow someone to have smoked over a weekend
RainDog
Dec 2012
#42
Driving under influence of marijuana is already illegal so just enforce it the same way it is
limpyhobbler
Dec 2012
#17
But, as I explained up-thread, some people appear "sober" during roadside
Surya Gayatri
Dec 2012
#19
I'm not against something like the THC tests because it may be the price we have to pay to
limpyhobbler
Dec 2012
#35
Straight lines and follow the finger are still used on occasion, according to my brother--
Surya Gayatri
Dec 2012
#26
From my limited experience, I'd say reaction times would be the problem with pot
muriel_volestrangler
Dec 2012
#31
No, he doesn't. He sees the results of accidents where marijuana is present and assigns
Egalitarian Thug
Dec 2012
#50
I don't think I would. If we are to assume that the surgeon is well experienced, I'd rather have him
Egalitarian Thug
Dec 2012
#63
LOL! The ol' "slow-drive while stoned" trick. Know it well, but never got stopped, thank heaven!
Surya Gayatri
Dec 2012
#79