Damian Thompson Damian Thompson

The white-knuckle terror of being driven by a dopehead

‘Hidden menace of the drivers high on drugs,’ says the headline in today’s Daily Mail, revealing that – according to police – six out of 10 motorists are failing a new roadside test that can detect use of cannabis or cocaine.

If so, that’s worrying. But not as worrying as actually being driven by someone who’s stoned. Trust me on this.

Several times I’ve found myself in California bowling along the freeway at night, trying not to think about the spliff the driver smoked before turning the ignition key. A single puff induces terror in passengers, since all dope seems to be skunk these days and the Californian strain is wickedly strong. (Again, trust me on this.) It makes the journey ‘more fun’, it was explained to me. Which would make sense if driving on the freeway was a video game.

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