Everyone out there knows or should know that getting behind the wheel while drunk is a recipe for tragedy, but what about stoned drivers? Does puffing the pipe affect one's ability to drive safely on the roads?
KIRO-TV in Washington State intended to find out by setting up the state's first ever stoned driver obstacle course. The TV station gave three various-level pot smokers three-tenths of a gram of pot, got them to smoke it, and then set them loose on the obstacle course to examine their reaction times, driving mistakes and attention spans behind the wheel. The test subjects drove with a licensed instructor who had his own brake to ensure safety. The obstacle course was also supervised by a police officer.
Surprisingly, the results showed that most drivers were fine after three tenths, but started to drive dangerously and more erratically once the dosage was upped to nine-tenths of a gram. The moral of the story seems to be that pot impairment is less dangerous when behind the wheel than alcohol impairment, but intoxication is intoxication, and the safest way to drive is to stay sober behind the wheel.
Impaired Driver Obstacle Courses
This Course is Designed Explores the Effects of Marijuana
Trend Themes
1. Stoned Driver Testing - There is an opportunity to create more robust stoned driver obstacle courses to better understand the impact of marijuana on driving.
2. Marijuana VS Alcohol Impairment - Businesses can explore creating more in-depth studies to compare the effects of marijuana and alcohol on driving performance.
3. Safer Driving Education - There is a chance to develop more effective and realistic driving education programs that delve into the effects of intoxication on driving behavior.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Industry - The automotive industry can use the findings to influence further innovation in autonomous driving technology.
2. Cannabis Industry - Cannabis businesses can explore collaborations with driving education providers to create more education on the impact of marijuana on driving behavior.
3. Insurance Industry - The insurance industry can customize its policies and premiums according to the amount of marijuana ingested by policyholders, notably reducing premiums for those who smoke less potent strains.