Cannabis-impaired driving: what you need to know
Did you know that driving under the influence of cannabis is not only dangerous, but is also against the law?
A driver under the influence of cannabis will be slower to react. The chance of a crash or of an accident is therefore increased, putting at risk the passengers, pedestrians, dogs, and other drivers. Other abilities affected by drug impairment include coordination, attention, judgment and decision-making, which are all greatly important for driving.
Driving under the influence of cannabis or other illegal drugs is also against the law and could lead to an arrest. Currently, the minimum you can get if you are impaired to drive is a 1,000$ fine and a year licence suspension and you could also face a criminal record.
In 2015, 3 000 of the reported accidents in Canada were related to drug-impaired driving. In total, more than 600 000 people in the country reported having driven under the influence of an illegal drug. Drivers from 18 to 19 were most likely to report it, followed by those aged 15 to 17. For this reason, parents can play an import role in teaching their children to drive responsibly and by leading by example.
If you are under the influence of cannabis, find a designated driver, call someone to drive you or sleep it off.
For more details on drug-impaired driving, visit: