Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Impact of Marijuana on Driving

Apart from the other drugs Marijuana influences a lot on the functions of the brain just like the alcohol. But it does not play a significant role in the crashes of the vehicle when compared to the alcohol. It creates a mild effect on the psychomotor skills.

According to the conclusions given by the US Department Of Transportation study: As the THC dose of Marijuana increase, the impairment of the road tracking also increases. Marijuana smoking which delivers THC up to 300 ug/kg dose also impairs slightly to maintain a constant headway.

Marijuana will result in the dangerous acts like distorted perceptions, decrement in the concentration etc. Thus the driver becomes inefficient for accomplishing the tasks in driving.

A highly potent psychoactive substance called THC is being present in the Marijuana. If a person takes Marijuana then that harmful substance enters initially into the blood stream and gets distributed and finally enters into the brain. Stimulation of the cannabinoid receptors in cell membranes of the brain is being done by the THC and other chemicals which are present in the marijuana. These receptors will change the physical and the mental activities like short term memory, coordination, psychomotor abilities.

If both the alcohol and the Marijuana are consumed at a time then their effect will be much more devastating. Effect of Marijuana smoking will be lost within 24 hours. Irregular responses towards sights and sounds are being observed after the consumption of the Marijuana. It adversely affects the hand and the eye coordination.

Although the driving process is a usual and regular process, drug abuse has a lot of impact on driving.

Related Links:
Marijuana drug test

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