Pubdate: Tue, 22 Aug 2000
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000 Calgary Herald
Contact:  P.O. Box 2400, Stn. M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0W8
Fax: (403) 235-7379
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Forum: http://forums.canada.com/~calgary
Author: Daryl Slade, Calgary Herald

POT STUDY BLOWS SMOKE ON SAFETY OF PUFFING DRIVERS

Don't Toke And Drive!

That's what local experts are warning despite a recently released British 
study that concludes regular marijuana users are more cautious, safer 
drivers after smoking a joint or two.

"I'm not a specialist on the medical line but, personally, I would not 
agree with that statement," said Navid Chaudry, chief instructor with the 
Alberta Motor Association, who for the past decade has taught driving 
courses to people who have lost their licence for driving while impaired.

"When we teach driving courses, we teach 'no drugs, no alcohol' and don't 
combine the two. We teach that one joint and one alcoholic drink is 
equivalent to 2 drinks. That shows marijuana is a drug and a mind stimulant 
and does impair a person."

The government study, conducted by Britain's Transport Research Laboratory, 
found that marijuana makes drivers more mellow and less likely to drive 
dangerously.

The four-week study followed 15 pot users who were given top-grade 
marijuana from the United States to use, then tested on simulators to 
determine their reaction levels.

The study had been expected to show driving under the influence of drugs 
was as dangerous as drunk driving, and the conclusion left the government 
red-faced.

Still, there is skepticism.

"My best gut feeling is no, I think they're under the influence," said Tony 
Pike, president of the Calgary chapter of People Against Impaired Driving 
(PAID).

"Maybe they do drive more cautious, but more cautious can also be more 
dangerous if they're driving way below the speed limit."

Pike said, however, that while .08 has been established as the legal level 
in which a driver is impaired on alcohol, it is unclear as to the amount of 
marijuana it takes to get one impaired.

Calgary police would not comment specifically on the study because nobody 
in the traffic unit has seen it.

Sgt. Steve Patterson, in charge of traffic education's alcohol unit, noted 
the Criminal Code clearly indicates someone impaired by alcohol or drugs 
can be charged with impaired driving, and the same criteria are used to 
determine impairment for both drugs or alcohol.

"The investigating officer will first look for poor driving skills," said 
Patterson.

"Then, after the driver is stopped, the officer will look for indicators of 
excessive alcohol or drug use in determining the issue of substantiating 
charges."

The study noted that driving while high on drugs -- including marijuana -- 
is not as safe as driving while sober, even though drivers may recognize 
they are high and are more cautious.

Other studies have shown that many drivers impaired by alcohol drive faster 
and more aggressively.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart