STONED DRIVERS 'BIGGER RISK'

New research showing stoned drivers are more than 2.5 times more
common - and more dangerous - than drunk drivers reinforces moves to
introduce drug-driving regulations.

In the latest paper from a long-running Christchurch Health and
Development study, a group of 936 drivers aged under 25 were asked how
often they had driven under the influence of alcohol or cannabis.

Lead researcher Professor David Fergusson said the team was "quite
surprised" by the results, which showed "dopey driving" was more
common than drink-driving.

Those questioned reported driving under the influence of cannabis on
an average of nine occasions between the ages of 21 and 25.

The average rate for drink-driving was 3.62 times.

Researchers also found an increased risk of minor car accidents
associated with cannabis use, which echoes figures published last week
showing more fatal crashes involved cannabis.

Professor Fergusson said two social trends had "acted in concert" to
reduce the risks of drink-driving while increasing the risks of
cannabis driving.

"There have been major efforts from publicity, legislation and law
enforcement to reduce the rates of drink-driving.

"In contrast, while rates of cannabis use have increased dramatically
amongst young adults, there has been little effort to regulate driving
under the influence of cannabis."

Under the Government's proposal for drug-driving legislation, police
will put suspected drugged drivers through a roadside test of balance,
coordination and eye-pupil response, and if they appear to be
affected, they will be ordered to have a blood test.

Figures from a police and Environmental Science and Research Institute
study found that of 408 drivers who died in road accidents in 2005 and
2006, 124 had cannabis in their system, some of whom had also consumed
alcohol.

Sixty drivers had consumed alcohol alone, and 50 also tested positive
for drugs such as morphine, methadone, methamphetamine and
benzodiazapines.