‘Tis the season to curb impaired driving. Yet, according to a 2021 cannabis-impaired driving survey by CAA South Central Ontario (SCO), police face public misconceptions when it comes to the impacts of driving high.
The survey was conducted among 1,500 Ontario drivers between September and October 2021 and captured their driving habits over the three months prior. It reveals that 39% of current cannabis users are consuming more than they did before the pandemic, which is unsurprising given Canada’s cannabis laws and access to cannabis products. What is cause for alarm, however, is the fact 69% of those who had driven after consuming cannabis did so within 3 hours or less of consumption. Among those who had driven after consuming cannabis on the same day, 33% felt “very” or “somewhat high,” a figure that is up from CAA SCO’s 2019 survey.
“The fact people are getting behind the wheel knowing they feel high is very concerning because it shows there are still people who recognize that they are driving impaired but still doing it anyway,” says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president, government and community relations with CAA Club Group.
Part of the issue, she adds, is that public conceptions around cannabis-impaired driving are still maturing, and the risks are still not being taken as seriously as those associated with alcohol: “For decades, there has been a lot of information related to drinking and driving. We see younger generations getting that message, but now the goal is to bring attitudes about cannabis-impaired driving to that same level in a shorter amount of time. ”
“CAA’s position is that we don’t care if you consume cannabis or not; it’s a legal product, ”she continues. “We do care if you consume cannabis and risk lives on the road. So what we’re saying is to be safe when you do it and don’t risk mistakes that will have huge impacts on your health, livelihood, and future. ”
Edibles on the rise
One of the most significant takeaways from CAA SCO’s survey is an uptick in edible consumption. THC-infused candies and other products are now the most preferred method among Ontario’s current cannabis users. Moreover, there are misconceptions about how these consumables impact one’s ability to operate a vehicle.
“Edibles hit people differently depending on when they’re taking and what’s already in one’s system, and the effects can catch people off guard,” says Di Felice.
Given the varying impacts, it’s not uncommon for cannabis users to misjudge the amount of edibles required to achieve the desired effect. Some may take more than the recommended doses only to find out too late that they’ve taken more than they can handle.
“You could be on route somewhere and suddenly be hit with a high you weren’t expecting,” warns Di Felice.
Insights for law enforcement
With cannabis consumption on the rise, and attitudes around cannabis-impaired driving still evolving, CAA SCO hopes its survey can provide support to police conducting RIDE checks.
“Part of the survey’s goal is to draw more attention to the fact that Ontario drivers are smoking more cannabis and consuming more edibles, and that these habits may be harder to notice at first,” notes Di Felice. The challenges, she continues, is that cannabis edibles don’t reveal themselves the same as alcohol or a joint during a RIDE check as there is often no distinct smell: “So from a policing perspective, edibles pose an additional challenge when it comes to detecting drug-impaired driving. ”
Equally notable is the fact that 12% of cannabis users who took CAA SCO’s survey admitted to consuming both alcohol and cannabis (aka “polyusers”). So while a driver may appear to be under the influence of alcohol at first glance, it’s important to remember that cannabis use can also be a factor, and that it should be included in reporting if detected.
“When polyuse drivers are involved in a collision or charged, alcohol tends to get written down as the cause for driver impairment since it’s easier to detect with the tools police have on hand,” adds Di Felice. “What happens then is that the public doesn’t hear about the fact cannabis also played a role, and this feeds into the perception that having a smoke or taking an edible is not that much of a danger.”
As such, Di Felice says it’s important that cannabis use is included on the reporting form so as to help boost public awareness and dispel misconceptions that drivers who consume it are safe on the road.
“Don’t drink and drive” has been a critical public safety mantra for decades. Now that cannabis use is more common, CAA SCO hopes impaired driving campaigns like its 2021 study will achieve the same levels of awareness.
“Ultimately, we want to work with our road safety partners like the police to tell the public that cannabis-impaired driving is just as serious as alcohol-impaired driving. So go have fun, but plan ahead and find safe, alternative ways home. ”
Learn more about CAA South Central Ontario and its cannabis-impaired driving campaign. Visit caasco.com/cannabis .
