| EFFECTS OF OTHER DRUGS |
 | Other drugs, both legal and illegal, can affect the task of driving. |
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MARIJUANA Marijuana is classified as a mild hallucinogen. It primarily affects the way the user perceives things.
Currently, marijuana is second only to alcohol as the drug most often found in the bodies of collision victims. |
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It can act as a stimulant or depressant, depending on the user's mood and
experience with the drug.
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Studies of the effects of marijuana on driving performance have resulted in the following findings:
· Complex reaction time is slowed, giving the driver less time to avoid hazards.
· Errors in recognition and interpretation of traffic signs, signals and pavement markings are more likely.
· In producing a more passive behavior, there is a tendency to drive at slower
speeds than normal which can interfere with the movement of other traffic.
· And, attention span and the ability to concentrate on several things simultaneously are lowered.
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Accurate judgment of time and distance relationships are lessened causing
problems in allowing adequately for passing, following and stopping distances.
Considering all of these facts, you tell me--why in the world would you ever want to drive high? |
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SYNERGISM | Combining marijuana and alcohol produces a synergistic effect that results in driving performance, which is significantly worse than that experienced when either of the drugs is taken alone. The effect of taking two or more drugs at the same time can result in more than a "1 + 1" effect. In other words, the total effect of combining drugs may be greater than, and quite different from, the expected sum of their individual effects. Anytime alcohol is mixed with another drug it is likely to produce a synergistic effect--with an outcome that no one can predict. |
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COCAINE | Cocaine is classified as a stimulant. It can produce extreme mood swings from feelings of joy and happiness to violent hallucinations and severe depression. Side effects are blurred vision and slowed recovery, which impair perception and thus reduce a person's ability to drive safely. |
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OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS AND PRESCRIPTIONS DRUGS Although over-the-counter drugs account for 70 percent of all drug purchases, many can and do adversely affect driving performance. By law, their label must provide adequate directions for use including recommendations for operating machinery, which should be strictly followed.
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INHALANTS | Although not usually considered drugs, the effects of inhalants include impaired vision and judgment, reduced muscular control, lower blood pressure, heart irregularities, inflammation of the nasal passages and lungs, wheezing and coughing, and asphyxiation in severe cases. Their intoxicating effects can last from 15 to 45 minutes. |
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| AVOIDING INTOXICATION |
If you're old enough to drive a motor vehicle, it's assumed that you're mature enough to make rational decisions. But when it comes to alcohol, rational thought seems to go right out the window ...
... especially when we're in a group where everybody else is drinking. The temptation is strong to go along with the crowd. Well, you can. You just don't have to get drunk in the process. Just follow a few common sense rules.
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The most obvious rule is, don't drink alcohol at all. Have a straight mixer
instead. Water with a twist, club soda, Sprite, whatever.
Only you and the bartender will know that there is no alcohol on your drink,
so you can mix and mingle without feeling uncomfortable. And you'll be in
control of your faculties.
If you do consume alcohol, learn to control the intake. Mix your drinks weaker than usual--and don't accept strong mixed drinks. |
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Condition yourself to put your drink down before it's finished. And set down
unwanted drinks. If you've got it in your hand, you'll be more likely to keep
drinking.
Space your drinks over the course of the evening by nursing them along. And
keep count of how many you've had.
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Be sure to eat while you are drinking. Remember, food in your stomach can
help regulate the flow of alcohol from your stomach into your bloodstream.
But remember, too, if you drink too much, you'll get drunk no matter how much you eat.
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The old adage "everything in moderation, nothing in excess" is a creed we could all live by when it comes to drinking.
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