Q: During some night outs with friends, we would go on drinking sprees and some of the guys would occasionally smoke marijuana. We usually take just one car and nominate one designated driver. When it’s time to go home, the least drunk among us would drive the car, with one caveat—we don’t trust the guys that smoke grass, even if they were the ones that didn’t really drink too much. This is a good idea, right?
A: Hmmmm. To whom should you entrust your life? A person tipsy on alcohol or someone high on marijuana? Sounds like a trick question to me, or if it’s a serious question, a lose-lose situation. While being under the influence of marijuana in this country is a serious crime in itself, no real studies on how it can affect driving ability have been conducted.
One study done by the United Kingdom Transport Research Laboratory had test subjects smoke marijuana sticks then perform a series of driving and motor tests. The results showed that all the subjects ended up driving slower to compensate for their intoxication, but their reaction time to road hazards did not seem to be affected. Despite difficulty in following a figure 8 driving loop, they were generally still able to spot hazards.
Alcohol-and fatigue-intoxicated drivers did not fare as well. This UK study concluded that alcohol and fatigue impair driving more than marijuana. Marijuana smokers should not let this study lull them into false sense of invincibility. Driving completely sober is still the safest way to go. It is also best to bring along a non-drinking, non-smoking designated driver with you next time your friends go out. If you can’t do so, make this world a safer place by passing out where you are. It might not be the best sleeping accommodation but the most responsible thing you could.
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