Only In Michigan: Marquette Man Busted For Huffing While Driving

Nitrous Oxide is not something you want to be inhaling while your driving, especially if your kids are the car.

First, can we all breathe a sigh of relief that no one was hurt in this incident, which could have turned out much worse.

A Marquette man is in police custody today after his car went into the median of US 41 when he passed out while huffing nitrous oxide WHILE DRIVING!! Yikes!

The incident occurred Tuesday night just west of downtown Marquette. The driver scooted into the median after striking a yield sign, waking up and over correcting. Luckily the median was there or he may off gone off into oncoming traffic.

In the car were a woman and two small children, ages 8 and 11. They emerged unharmed from the accident. The driver was arrested at the scene and charged with  driving under the influence. Additional charges are being considered, hopefully including reckless endangerment.

Nitrous oxide is more commonly referred to as "laughing gas" and is used in minor dental and medical procedures to manage pain.

It is also used as a propellant in the food industry for dispensing whipped cream. It is those cartridges that give the substance it's street name of "whippits".

Please don't do this at home, kids, and remember, huffing is one of the five stupidest ways to get high. Why? I'm glad you asked:

Since nitrous oxide can cause dizziness, dissociation, and temporary loss of motor control, it is unsafe to inhale while standing up. So part of safer use can be to inhale it while seated, because there is a decreased risk of injury from falling. Inhalation directly from a tank poses serious health risks, as it can cause frostbite since the gas is very cold when released.

Nitrous oxide can be habit-forming, mainly because of its short-lived effect (generally from 1–5 minutes in recreational doses) and ease of access. Death can result if it is inhaled in such a way that not enough oxygen is breathed in.