Impairment due to narcotics vs. alcohol

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2006-04-07 10:21pm

Isn't drinking stuff (or doing almost any other activity that requires use of one or more hands) while driving almost as compromising as driving while impaired by drugs?

Pick · Post by **Pick** » 2006-04-07 10:24pm

I don't know, but why would that excuse driving while impaired by drugs anyway?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2006-04-07 10:35pm

Seriously, tho... you're really reaching here, Kernel. Why don't you just sit down, smoke a bowl, and STFU.

And don't go driving.

Mad · Post by **Mad** » 2006-04-07 11:40pm

Matt Huang wrote:Isn't drinking stuff (or doing almost any other activity that requires use of one or more hands) while driving almost as compromising as driving while impaired by drugs?

Do you stop at green lights because you're taking a sip of Dr. Pepper or drive at 10 MPH because you're using a cell phone? Such activities do divert the driver's attention, but they don't drastically reduce mental ability, reflexes, or motor control while driving the way alcohol or drugs do. They aren't even comparable.

Death from the Sea · Post by **Death from the Sea** » 2006-04-07 11:49pm

Matt Huang wrote:Isn't drinking stuff (or doing almost any other activity that requires use of one or more hands) while driving almost as compromising as driving while impaired by drugs?

talking on a cell phone link1 impairs your ability to drive and has killed many link2 as does any activity that takes any sort of attention away from the actual act of driving.

the fact that Kernel is now claiming

Aparently not, because the conclusion is that marijuana does not contribute negatively at all to fatal accidents.

so now being under the influence of marijuana does not negatively affect a driver? marijuana has contributed to fatal accidents because I have seen it first hand as part of my job. marijuana (and many other drugs) also contributes to non-fatal accidents.... how do I know? because I see it at work and then take their stoned ass to jail.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2006-04-08 07:17am

The Kernel wrote:I really don't have time to finish the debate

Translated: I'm losing and won't admit it. I'm off to lick my wounds.

Question: how do you go from

Of course you are a greater risk driving stoned.

to

I also see see that there is no evidence to suggest pot is dangerous at all to driving

Kernal, do you even read your own posts?

casual drug use comes up every now and then and there is a militant anti-drug crowd on this board

I haven't seen one person in this thread condemn casual drug use, even of illegal drugs, provided (and this is just one point you are failing to grasp) no one is put at risk through that use. What's being condemned here is irresponsible drug use - whether casual or more so - that increases the risk of harm to others.

That's not being "militant anti-drug". Militanta anti-drugged driving, yes, but not anti drug use.

You sound like a whiney, spoiled brat who wants his toke whenever and wherever he wants it, and to hell with other people who might be hurt by actions arising from your stoned stupidity.

You want to get blasted on a daily basis? Have at it. Go ahead. I don't give a fuck what YOU do to your own self - but keep off the fucking road unless you're sober. Arguing that drugged driving is safe and inconsequential is just you trying to justify your out of control behavior in regards to pot. You are more fucked up than you realize, just as fucked up as drunks I've heard telling people how they're OK to drive because they can "handle" their drink, or that it makes them a better driver because it makes them more relaxed and less aggressive, and all the other self-justifying bullshit people use to fool themselves about what their favorite poison is really doing to them.

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2006-04-08 08:12am

Mad wrote:
Matt Huang wrote:Isn't drinking stuff (or doing almost any other activity that requires use of one or more hands) while driving almost as compromising as driving while impaired by drugs?
Do you stop at green lights because you're taking a sip of Dr. Pepper or drive at 10 MPH because you're using a cell phone? Such activities do divert the driver's attention, but they don't drastically reduce mental ability, reflexes, or motor control while driving the way alcohol or drugs do. They aren't even comparable.

I don't use a cellphone or try to open sodabottles to take a sip while driving, but I've been behind douchebags who were driving while talking on their cellphones several times.

Damned fuckers have to swerve all the way out into the fastlane (without any warning from their blinkers), then drive at ten miles under the speed limit when every other lane is going at least ten over.

Netko · Post by **Netko** » 2006-04-08 10:54am

Which is why, coincedently, quite a few countries have banned non-handsfree cellphone usage while driving.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2006-04-08 09:06pm

Which does jackshit, because even handfree cellphones can be a lethal distraction.

SCRawl · Post by **SCRawl** » 2006-04-08 09:14pm

Broomstick wrote:Which does jackshit, because even handfree cellphones can be a lethal distraction.

Yeah, but banning handsets gives the appearance that something is being done, and it appeals to the gut instinct that that's enough. Since the majority of voters appears to vote with their gut, and the lawmakers need the voters' approval every couple of years, well, you get the idea.