GERMANY: LET'S TEST DRIVING ON POT

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - A member of parliament's Transportation Committee
is suggesting members gauge their skills in driving tests while stoned on
marijuana or hashish.

Gila Altmann, of the left-leaning, environmentalist Greens party, said in
an interview Sunday in the mass-circulation Bild daily that she simply
wanted to highlight what she considers a double standard regarding alcohol.

Alcohol, which is legal, was blamed for 4,000 automobile deaths in Germany
last year, whereas illegal drugs were blamed for only 16 deaths, Altmann
said.

Altmann has placed a formal request for the driving tests with the committee.

Panel Chairman Dionys Jobst rejected the idea, especially since the drugs
involved would be illegal.

Last year, committee members conducted driving tests after drinking
alcohol, and most found their abilities were impaired if their
blood-alcohol percent was 0.08 or higher.