Driving With Marijuana In Your System Is DUI

Jan 092018
 

Driving With Marijuana In Your System Is DUI

In view of the 2018 legalization of marijuana sales, use and possession which just treated into effect in California it is important to remember that marijuana – not unlike alcohol or many other types of drugs – affects driver’s performance.

There may be nothing wrong with an occasional drink or a puff of marijuana PROVIDED we don’t mix recreation with driving. Recreation is private. Driving is not. The actions of one driver affect many others.

Here are a few sobering statistics – from Mothers Against Drunk Driving – worth keeping in mind as we’re entering the era of legalized marijuana use in California.

The drug showing the greatest increase among drivers from 2007 to 2013/2014 was marijuana (THC). The percentage of THC-positive drivers increased from 8.6 percent in 2007 to 12.6 percent in 2013/2014, a proportional increase of 47 percent.
(NHTSA 2013-2014 Roadside Survey)

Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths.
(NHTSA, 2010)

More than a third of teens mistakenly believe they drive better under the influence of marijuana.
(Liberty Mutual/SADD poll of 1,708 teens in the 11th and 12th grades. Margin of error is +/- 2.16 percentage points.) Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY.

Almost 7% of drivers, mostly under age 35, who were involved in fatal traffic crashes tested positive for THC, the principle ingredient in marijuana.
(NHTSA, 2010)

More than 22% of drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs in blood and/or oral fluid tests.
(NHTSA 2013-2014 Roadside Survey)

Almost half of all drivers who were killed in crashes and tested positive for drugs also had alcohol in their system.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs. 2014.

About 4,000 drivers are killed each year with drugs in their systems. This doesn’t count those who had drugs in their system without test results, or those killed by drivers with drugs in their system.
(NHTSA, 2010)

In fatal crashes in 2014, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (30 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (29 percent) and 35 to 44 (24 percent).
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2014: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.” Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2016.

In 2013, 9.9 million people (3.8% of the population) reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs. This was highest among 18-25 year olds, where 10.6% reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
(SAMHSA’s 2013 NSUDH survey)

In 2016, 10,497 people died in drunk driving crashes – one every 50 minutes – and 290,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2016: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.” Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

In 2014, 10.1 million people reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs. 2014.

Every day in America, another 29 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. That’s one person every 50 minutes.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2016: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.” Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2017.

57% of fatally injured drivers had alcohol and/or other drugs in their system – 17% had both.
(NHTSA, 2010)

*

Unfortunately, the legalization of marijuana precedes public awareness of adverse side effects of the drug. California drivers may not appreciate the risk of driving while under the influence of marijuana. The risks and consequences are the same as when driving while drunk.

These issues may be new to us in California, but states that legalized the use of marijuana before us have some experience already. Read about Marijuana DUI

These are restrictions on marijuana use imposed by – and enforced in – Washington State:
https://lcb.wa.gov/mj-education/know-the-law
This is a good place to get info on California’s Cannabis Laws
http://www.canorml.org/california_cannabis_laws

We are going to get our reality check just like Washington drivers did. Let’s hope that Los Angeles drivers will learn from states like Washington, quickly.

Bottom line, no matter what’s your pleasure, there is nothing wrong with a little indulgence. Just as long as your fun doesn’t endanger other California’s drivers.

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Volvo To Go All Electric In 2019

Jul 102017
 
Volvo To Go All Electric In 2019

New Volvo XC60 T6 Denim Blue

Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has announced that every Volvo it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor, marking the historic end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and placing electrification at the core of its future business. With this bold move Volvo positions itself as the first car maker to include electric power in all its vehicles. Even Volvo’s internal combustion engine vehicles will be enhanced with an electric power option.

The announcement represents one of the most significant moves by any car maker to embrace electrification and highlights how over a century after the invention of the internal combustion engine electrification is paving the way for a new chapter in automotive history.

“This is about the customer,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive. “People increasingly demand electrified cars and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish.”

Volvo Cars will introduce a portfolio of electrified cars across its model range, embracing fully electric cars, plug in hybrid cars and mild hybrid cars.

It will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high performance electrified cars from Polestar, Volvo Cars’ performance car arm. Full details of these models will be announced at a later date.

These five cars will be supplemented by a range of petrol and diesel plug in hybrid and mild hybrid 48 volt options on all models, representing one of the broadest electrified car offerings of any car maker.

This means that in the near future there will be no Volvo cars without an electric motor, as pure ICE cars are gradually phased out and replaced by ICE cars that are enhanced with electric options.

“This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car,” said Mr Samuelsson. “Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of 1M electrified cars by 2025. When we said it we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.”

Volvo To Go All Electric In 2019
The announcement underlines Volvo Cars’ commitment to minimizing its environmental impact and making the cities of the future cleaner. Volvo Cars is focused on reducing the carbon emissions of both its products and its operations. It aims to have climate neutral manufacturing operations by 2025.

Cool cars. Cool company. Go Volvo!

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Shopping For A Deal On A Used Car

Jul 082017
 

California car registration law

With the economy being the way it is, many Los Angeles consumers are shopping for bargains on used cars and yes, there are bargains to be had. There are great deals to be found on auctions, on repossessed cars and auto lien sales.

As I learned from personal experience, one cannot be too careful when making such a great deal. I’ve recently gotten “lucky”. I purchased a lovely “classic” car at a great price. I thought I’ve taken every precaution. I checked the engine and the body and the paperwork. Everything seemed to be in order.

I acted like the typical car buyer. I had the car detailed to perfection. I notified my insurance and added the car to my existing insurance. I had the vehicle smogged and it passed the smog check beautifully. I was quite proud of myself. A great vehicle and a great deal. The final step? Registering the beauty at the DMV.

Guess what? The cost was over a $1,000! Yes, I purchased the vehicle in 2017. Yes, I inspected the registration sticker which clearly showed 2016 as the year of its registration. The sticker however didn’t reflect the car’s actual registration expiration date. It must have been either fake or stolen. I didn’t know that while I was making the purchase. I explained it at the DMV office.

Guess what? According to California law, I am responsible for all the outstanding back fees. (I couldn’t believe it, either!) But this is the California car registration law. The seller who committed fraud is innocent. In California, the victim (buyer of a car with illegitimate registration sticker) is penalized for car registration fraud. WHO KNEW?! I am responsible for all the back fees and penalties to boot!

Learn from my experience. Don’t pay attention to the registration sticker. Demand the actual registration slip. I expected to pay the registration fee for two years. The over $1,000 fee caught me completely of guard. The fact that the wrong-doer isn’t responsible for the outstanding fees, but the misled buyer is, still has me upset. Buyer beware!

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