More young people driving stoned than drunk -...

More young people driving stoned than drunk - researchers
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200710101649/more_young_people_driving_stoned_than_drunk_-_researchers

Otago University researchers in Christchurch found young adults are more likely to drive with cannabis in their system than alcohol, and the results are more harmful. They say their findings should lend support to moves to introduce drug driving regulations.

Professor David Fergusson says the researchers surveyed more than 900 drivers aged 25. Respondents said they had driven an average of nine times under the influence of cannabis, compared with an average of 3.6 times after drinking alcohol.

Professor David Fergusson says the findings back current initiatives to legislate against drug driving. He says the study indicates there is a lot of drug driving going on, and that it is imposing risks on the roads. He believes if the same emphasis is placed on cannabis-affected drivers as on drunk ones, drug driving should decline.

Professor Fergusson says they also found the risk of minor car accidents increased if the driver had been using cannabis. He expressed surprise at the results, saying his team expected to find that drunk-driving was riskier than driving under the influence of cannabis.