REDUCING ACCIDENTS: POT IS NOT THE REAL PROBLEM

Dear Editor,

Losing a child for any reason is a terrible tragedy, but it can be
difficult for the grieving survivors to think clearly when they are
still distraught.

Claiming that the driver might have been impaired on marijuana is a
nebulous assertion [Grieving mom seeks change, July 28, Langley
Advance], and the fact that charges related to the claim were dropped
suggests that it's very likely that marijuana impairment may have had
nothing to do with the accident.

Hundreds of thousands of people drive every day while impaired by
legal prescription drugs, but when they are involved in fatal
accidents, their legal drug use is not highlighted in the media.

Additionally, it may be inadvisable to allow 16-year-old drivers to
operate sports cars or high-performance vehicles.

Ms. Featherston offered excellent advice in suggesting children
should not get into vehicles with drivers they don't know.

Character defects and/or lack of experience that encourage young
drivers to drive recklessly almost certainly cause more accidents
than marijuana impairment, if it has ever been proven that any
accident was caused by such impairment.

Some readers may be aware of the studies suggesting that drivers
under the influence of marijuana are safer drivers than the general
public. In a climate of drug hysteria, it can be difficult to
separate the authorities's agenda from facts.

Demonizing marijuana will not reduce accidents caused by impaired
drivers. In fact, it may be an exacerbating factor. Teenagers may be
smoking the marijuana in their possession, so they'll be clean if
stopped and searched while driving. If so, criminalization of
marijuana is actually contributing to excessive use.

It's important not to lose sight of the fact that actually reducing
accidents and saving lives should be regarded as more significant
goals than simply making ourselves feel better.

George Kosinski

Gibsons