Drug prohibition and speed limits

[Martin Cassini]

The Observer reports that Humberside chief constable, Tim Hollis, has proposed decriminalising personal drug use to rationalise resources, in apparent support of the widespread (commonsense?) view that prohibition doesn't deter drug use, and decriminalisation would cut crime. There is a clear parallel with roads policy, e.g. one-size-fits-all speed limits. (Of course, one size can’t fit all, so the idea is nonsensical applied to human activity.) According to the US Best Highway Safety Practices Institute, the safest drivers are the ones who drive faster than average, yet they are the primary targets of speed enforcement.