Cannabis Impaired Driving

Driving High is Driving Impaired

CAA has worked for decades to raise awareness about the dangers of driving impaired.

Cannabis is legal in Canada, so we want to make sure everyone uses it responsibly. Make a plan, and don’t drive high.

CAA’s Do Anything but Drive campaign encourages young Canadians who do not associate the same risks of impaired driving with smoking cannabis or doing edibles to plan ahead and make arrangements for a safe way home. The message: if you’re going to do edibles, do anything but drive raised awareness about the long-lasting effects of cannabis edibles and the risks of cannabis-impaired driving. So far this campaign has reached over 3 million Young Canadians and counting. 

Do anything but drive

Myths about cannabis and driving

Person impaired and cannabis leaf icon

Cannabis doesn’t affect my ability to drive

False. Driving under the influence of cannabis affects your ability to drive safely and you’re at a greater risk of getting into a collision.

Map of neighbourhood icon

I’m not going far so it’s okay

False. 45% of incidents happen near the home. Driving in a familiar setting makes drivers less attentive, and cannabis has been shown to reduce a driver’s concentration.

Person and breathalyzer icon

Police can’t check if I’ve consumed weed

False. Police officers across Canada can administer roadside tests to check for impairment. These can include testing devices or calling in specially trained drug recognition officers.

It is illegal to drive high, check out the laws in your province to stay informed.

Learn More

How does cannabis affect your driving

Foot on gas pedal icon

Reaction time

Handing pointing at correct box icon

Decision accuracy

Car swerving on to next lan icon

Ability to stay in lane

Two Pylons Icon

Ability to avoid obstacles

Researcher taking sample of cannabis plant

Research into effects of cannabis on driving

Young Canadians are at risk of a vehicle crash even five hours after inhaling cannabis, according to a CAA-funded peer-reviewed study conducted at McGill University.

The research found that driving performance declined significantly, in key areas such as reaction time, even five hours after inhaling the equivalent of less than one joint. The participants’ driving performance, tested in a driving simulator, deteriorated as soon as they were exposed to common road distractions.

Download study

Do you have questions about the dangers of driving high?

You can find the answers on our frequently asked questions page. Inform yourself and help educate others on the implications of impaired driving.

Find your question