7 replies to this topic

[Kernowtetra]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...litics-17975502

So if Baclofen and Diazepam etc for spasms and pain are going to be on the list of drugs then some people may have problems in the future!

Hopefully, common sense may prevail and such drugs as long as they do not affect someone's driving ability will be exempt.

[wheeliebear75]

Well luckily it does say in excess of specified limits. But you'd have to find out what the specifics are.

[Tetracyclone]

Note that first you would have been stopped because your driving was quirky. Overall this is probably a good idea.

In Australia some states have introduced random roadside testing for cannabis and amphetamines. The information below offers a good list of drugs that are commonly associated with impaired driving. Benzodiazepines, including diazepan and clonazepan, which are often used by our population, are quite high on the culprit list. They should be, and many of our members complain that they cause drowsiness. I use clonazepan occasionally as a sleep aid!

It is sad that cannabis is so highly correlated with impaired driving, and I wish more users knew this. If more than 3 or 4 drugs go on the list it will be the result of a stupid amount of brain disorder in government, or dementia in democracy.



Current Treatment in Australia

Australia had approximately 30,000 people undertaking methadone treatment in 2009 (National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data Collection). Australia has done a great deal of research on the influence of drugs and driving finding things such as that in a sample of 436 injured drivers that cannabis metabolites were found in 46.7%, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 7.6%, benzodiazepines in 15.6%, opiates in 11%, amphetamines in 4.1%, methadone in 3%, and cocaine in 1.4%.
Australian drug laws have more scientific basis, and as such patients on an opioid regimen are typically advised to not drive for up to 4 weeks, until their opioid regimen is stabilized. There is no national legal obligation to inform the driving agency of opioid use, but a doctor may recommend it. This relatively short period of waiting is much more reasonable then 1-3 years and allows for patients to resume normal life at a quick rate. Licensing varies by state or territory under their Ministry of Transports. Licensing agencies include The Road Transport Authority, Roads and Traffic Authority, Motor Vehicle Registry, Queensland Transport, Transport SA, Department of Infrastructure, Vicroads, and the Department for Planning Infrastructure. Each one may carry a different underlying policy, so it’s best to check with the correct agency before driving.

Edited by Tetracyclone, 07 May 2012 - 01:29 PM.

[rollingtrouble]

Actually, since y'all cant be trusted with assault rifles and handguns over there, ya shouldn't be driving either. God save the Queen!

[dreamerr]

How ridiculous....

[greybeard]

How ridiculous....

Really?

So you think it's OK for people to drive when their performance is so impaired, because they are zonked out on opiates and anti-depressants, that the police are able to spot them weaving all over the road?

[MTB John]

My third day on clonazapam I dragged myself out of bed to go to work.
After driving for about 5 minutes I knew I was in trouble. Strange thing was I continued to work (another 15 minutes) because doing a U-turn or driving round the block and going back home seemed too complecated.

I made it to work, went inside. Slept at my desk for an hour and then my boss drove me home. Not fun.

I was OK on a lower dose but this is not the type of thing you want to learn through trial and error.

Edited by MTB John, 07 May 2012 - 05:12 PM.

[rollingtrouble]

Actually, since y'all cant be trusted with assault rifles and handguns over there, ya shouldn't be driving either. God save the Queen!

I was just funning y'all ya know, trying to get a rise outta the pommies!