Canada’s DUI problem involves drugged as well as drunk driving

Drugged driving is a serious issue in Canada, as the latest research suggests.
August 10, 2018 Read time: 1 min

Drugged driving is a serious issue in Canada, as the latest research suggests. While drunk driving has, to an extent, been addressed the risks posed by drugged driving remain. With the legal restrictions on the use of cannabis looking to be eased in Canada, the problem of driving under the influence of the drug has yet to be fully tackled.

Young drivers in particular are thought to be at risk. Research by the Partnership for a Drug Free Canada suggests that almost twice as many teenaged drivers will get behind the wheel when under the influence of cannabis than when under the influence of alcohol.

More worryingly still, research suggests that as many as 34% of teen drivers think they perform better behind the wheel when under the influence of cannabis. The drug causes driver impairment in a different way to alcohol, affecting distance perception and attentiveness in particular, although the slowing of reaction times it causes is similar to that resulting from alcohol use.

Related Content

  • The US needs bridge repairs
    February 15, 2022
    The US needs many of its bridges to be repaired.
    Read More
  • Road safety gain for Argentina
    July 1, 2024
    Argentina is benefiting from a road safety gain.
    Read More
  • Speeding and distracted present major road safety threats
    November 21, 2016
    Speeding and distracted driving are key concerns for UK road users. Those are seen as the highest threat to safety according to a survey carried out jointly by road safety charity Brake, Aviva and Specsavers. The survey asked 1,000 drivers to identify which driving behaviour, from a list of six, they thought posed the biggest danger. And 76% ranked speeding or distraction most highly. Driving under the influence was also ranked highly, with 18% thinking drink- and drug-drivers are the biggest threat. But
    Read More
  • Addressing road safety issues worldwide
    February 27, 2012
    Actions are planned on road safety but are they enough? - *Charles Melhuish and *Alan Ross report. Deaths and injuries on the world's roads are now a major health concern. Road crashes now cause around 1.3 million deaths and injure or disable as many as 50 million persons globally each year. The vast majority of these deaths and injuries (over 90%) occur in low- and medium- income countries adding to their already overburdened health facilities as well as adversely affecting economic and social development
    Read More

Highlighted Content