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Related Experiment Videos

Marijuana, alcohol and actual driving performance.

J. G. Ramaekers1, H. W. J. Robbe, J. F. O'Hanlon

  • 1Experimental Psychopharmacology Unit, Brain & Behavior Institute, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Human Psychopharmacology
|October 31, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Marijuana, or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and alcohol significantly impair driving. Combining THC with alcohol severely degrades driving performance, more than either substance alone.

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Visual search and urban driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol.

Human psychopharmacologyยท2002
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Area of Science:

  • Forensic toxicology
  • Neuroscience
  • Traffic safety research

Background:

  • Driving impairment from psychoactive substances is a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the synergistic effects of marijuana and alcohol is crucial for road safety.
  • Previous research indicates individual substance effects, but combined impacts require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the independent and combined effects of marijuana (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) and alcohol on driving performance.
  • To quantify driving deficits under various doses of THC and alcohol.
  • To compare impairment levels from combined substances versus individual substances.

Main Methods:

  • Eighteen subjects participated in a balanced, 6-way crossover study.

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  • Administered placebo, THC (100 &mgr;g/kg, 200 &mgr;g/kg), and alcohol (BAC 0.04 g/dl) individually and in combination.
  • Assessed driving performance using a Road Tracking and Car Following Test in normal traffic.
  • Measured standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), time out of lane (TOL), reaction time (RT), and standard deviation of headway (SDH).

    • Main Results:

    • Both THC and alcohol significantly impaired driving performance individually.
    • Alcohol caused minor deficits, while THC caused moderate deficits.
    • Combining THC with alcohol dramatically worsened driving performance, with effects equivalent to higher BAC levels.
    • Reaction time significantly increased under combined THC and alcohol influence.

    Conclusions:

    • Low doses of THC moderately impair driving ability when used alone.
    • The combination of THC and alcohol severely exacerbates driving impairment.
    • These findings highlight the critical danger of combined marijuana and alcohol use for drivers.