As National Safe Driving Week approaches, the Canada Safety Council (CSC) and the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) are emphasizing the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis. The organizations are raising awareness about the significant role cannabis plays in road accidents and the risks associated with impaired driving.
According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), nearly 5,000 injured drivers sought care between 2018 and 2020. Of these, approximately half had at least one impairing substance in their system, with cannabis identified as a leading contributor to these accidents.
“Driving under the influence of cannabis is a serious risk to road safety,” said Gareth Jones, president and CEO of the CSC. “It impairs your ability to react and make sound decisions, and the consequences can be devastating. During National Safe Driving Week, we are urging all Canadians to understand that impairment, whether from alcohol or drugs, has no place behind the wheel.”
In a news release, the CSC highlighted that cannabis affects a driver’s motor skills, reaction time, and decision-making abilities, while also altering how the brain processes information. These impairments can reduce focus and hinder quick reactions to changes on the road, particularly in situations that require split-second decisions, such as avoiding a collision or adjusting to rapidly changing traffic conditions. Studies show that even small amounts of cannabis can significantly impact driving performance, the CSC noted.
Penalties for driving under the influence of cannabis can be severe. First-time offenders can face a $1,000 fine and a driving ban of up to one year. In addition to legal consequences, the CSC said that driving while impaired may result in an increased risk of death, injury, property damage, and higher auto insurance premiums.
“There’s no question that cannabis impairs your ability to drive, and driving while impaired, whether from drugs or alcohol, is risky behaviour,” Peter Braid, CEO of the IBAC, said. “The stakes are too high – death, injury, property damage, fines and convictions. Your auto insurance may not pay some benefits, and your premiums will increase.”
Do you have something to say about this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
