Cannabis users are at double risk of crashing cars, study

Cannabis users are at double risk of crashing cars, studyAccording to a new study in Canada, people who use cannabis are at double risk of crashing their cards when they drive compared to those who are not under the influence of drugs.

Researchers found that the risk doubles because cannabis interfered with brain and motor functions that are needed to drive carefully. Researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada analyzed nine studies of 50,000 people from around the world who have been in serious accidents.

They analyzed observational studies that involved accidents involving one or more vehicles in which the drivers were found to be under the influence of the drug. Drivers of vehicle including cars, sports utility vehicles, vans, lorries, buses and motorcycles were included in the studies. The researchers found that risk nearly doubles for drivers if they have consumer cannabis less than three hours before driving.

Mark Asbridge, study author and associate professor at the department of community health and epidemiology at Dalhousie University said, "Our findings provide clarity to the large body of research on cannabis and collision risk."

He added, "They also offer support to existing policies, in many jurisdictions, that restrict driving under the influence of cannabis, and direct public health officials to devote greater attention to this issue."

The findings have been published on bmj. com.