Participant claims Fox News Denver rigged marijuana driving test results

George Kennedy — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, TV/Movies

In May of this year, KDVR, Fox News 31 of Denver, Colorado aired a segment in which it tested the effects of marijuana on drivers. At the time of the story, Colorado lawmakers narrowly voted down a law that would have made it illegal to drive with more than five nanograms per milliliter of the drug in your system. So, to determine the effects of driving under the influence of marijuana, the local Fox affiliate gathered up several volunteers, with ages ranging from early-20's to mid-60's, and asked them to hop into a driving simulator after smoking pot. Once participant was not convinced of the news station's objectivity.

Max Montrose was one of the younger volunteers, and he was skeptical about the study, so he brought a hidden camera with him. Following the experiment, he posted a video to YouTube last week, cutting in clips of the new story with his own footage of the test. In one hidden camera clip, Montrose gets a camera operator to admit that the test isn't really that applicable, as well as other volunteers pointing out that the simulator was designed for the CDL test, designed for large semi trucks. He also contends that another vehicle in the simulator acted erratically and crashed into him in the course of his test.

The whole video seemed very damning on its surface, but KDVR has shot back, providing context to many of the issues raised by Montrose. The station explains that the test was conducted by a third party, and though the test was in a CDL facility, the simulator was set for a four-door SUV, a vehicle that would have been familiar for many drivers. Furthermore, the station interviewed a phlebotomist, who stated that effects are different from person to person, and several volunteers passed the test even though under the influence.

The KDVR response basically states that Montrose may have had biased motives from the start of the study, which is a claim that Montrose makes of the privately owned Fox affiliate. The original news report is not very damning for marijuana users, meanwhile Montrose even admits that he "would never advocate in a million years anyone to drive intoxicated on anything for any reason." So, no real conclusions are drawn in the matter, but just like the phlebotomist said of marijuana, this news story apparently affects each individual differently. See the now-viral video for yourself by scrolling below, and draw your own conclusions.

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Participant claims Fox News Denver rigged marijuana driving test results originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smoking pot nearly doubles risk of serious crash

Zach Bowman — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Canada

Canadian researchers have discovered smoking marijuana three hours before driving can more than double a driver's chance of being involved in a serious crash. The study examined data collected from 49,111 victims who had been seriously injured or died in an accident. Researchers specifically looked at cases where tetrahydrocannabionol, the active compound in marijuana, was found in the victims' blood stream but where other drugs and alcohol were absent. The study also evaluated instances where the driver admitted to smoking within three hours of the crash. The findings demonstrate that, while those who drive under the influence of alcohol are still more likely to be involved in a collision than their pot-smoking counterparts, marijuana significantly impairs an individual's ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Shocking.

The study did not note precise levels of THC present in each instance, though as CBC News reports, other research has proven a positive link between the higher crash likelihood and elevated THC levels.

Law enforcement agencies are currently struggling to effectively test for THC impairment during roadside stops. Unlike blood-alcohol levels, which can be easily tested for using a breath test, THC is harder to detect. As a result, most agencies have adopted a zero-tolerance policy.

Smoking pot nearly doubles risk of serious crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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