
Cannabis is second only to alcohol among substances found in drivers involved in crashes or charged with impaired driving. It is also the most frequent drug found mixed with alcohol in those involved in vehicle crashes.
People have been mixing cannabis and driving for as long as there have been cars, but the 2018 legalization of cannabis brought the issue new prominence. Throughout the legalization process, CAA pushed to make sure driving laws were updated, law enforcement would have proper resources, and public education would not take a backseat. We urged the same successful approach taken decades ago to drinking and driving – to make it socially unacceptable.
Prior to legalization, research suggested legalization would lead to an increase in cannabis-impaired driving. CAA lobbied for policies to ensure that wouldn’t happen. Click below to read CAA’s submission to the federal government’s Cannabis Task Force.
Download– Source: CAA National polling (2020).
Approximately 12% of young Canadians (aged 18 to 34) believe their driving is better or the same after consuming cannabis. They’re wrong!
One in five Canadians say they have driven high or have travelled in a vehicle with a high driver.
Half (50%) of young Canadians say they think it is safe to drive less than five hours after consuming cannabis.