Effects of Marijuana Intoxication on Driving Ability
How does marijuana intoxication affect the ability to operate a motor vehicle?
a) It improves driving skills and reaction times. b) It has no effect on driving ability. c) It impairs coordination, reaction times, and decision-making. d) It only affects the ability to see road signs clearly.
Answer:
Marijuana intoxication impairs a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle by affecting coordination, reaction times, and decision-making abilities.
Explanation:
The ability to operate a motor vehicle is severely influenced by marijuana intoxication. Marijuana, like other illicit and prescription substances, affects the central nervous system and brain functions. Specifically, it impairs coordination, reaction times, and decision-making, which are all essential functions for safe driving.
The impairments marijuana causes involve difficulty with motor coordination, tracking ability, attention, and decision-making - in other words, it influences a driver's ability to respond to sudden and unpredictable changes in their environment, such as the actions of other drivers or unexpected obstacles on the road. To put in perspective, moderate sleep deprivation can produce impairments in cognitive and motor performance equivalent to legally prescribed levels of alcohol intoxication.