Police, CAA say more people are driving impaired by edibles
A survey conducted by the Canadian Automobile Association finds that since 2019, there has been a 10 per cent increase in cannabis-impaired drivers.
The survey determined more people are admitting to consuming an edible before driving. With about 10 million drivers in Ontario, that number equals about 156,000 residents who have driven high on edibles in the last three months.
"It's shocking that we're seeing this many people who are getting behind the wheel while high," said Michael Stewart, community relations consultant at the CAA.
"Our data shows an alarming trend in the use of edibles and driving. With the growing popularity of cookies, gummies, and chocolates since legalization, the use of edibles continues to rise and so do people who drive high on edibles."
Stewart warns that edibles pose a greater risk to road safety because they are harder to detect and can take up to two hours for the effects to kick in.
So people may get behind the wheel sober, only to become high mid-trip. Also, the effects can last up to 12 hours and residual effects for up to 24 hours.
The survey also found that in the past three months, about 600,000 Ontario people admitted to driving after consuming cannabis.
North Bay Police Const. Kyle Hughes is reminding drivers RIDE stops are taking place again this year.
“We want to keep the roads as safe as possible so we can make sure everyone had a happy holiday season,” Hughes said.
“The drug impairment is through the roof, which is very, very concerning especially on the road
Almost half of the cannabis-impaired driving was paired with other substances such as alcohol or other drugs. More than half of the cannabis-impaired drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel within three hours of consumption.
A third of cannabis-impaired drivers who drive the same day said they felt high while driving.
While most Ontario drivers say that cannabis-impaired driving is a serious risk to road, only half are aware of the penalties.
"Because of the novelty of edibles, there seems to be a knowledge gap surrounding the impaired-driving laws related to substances other than alcohol,” said Stewart.
“However, studies show that the drug affects nearly every skill related to driving. It impairs a driver's motor skills, making it harder to judge distances, and can slow reaction times.”
Drivers who fail a drug recognition expert's evaluation face an immediate 90-day licence suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.
If convicted in court, drivers will see their licence suspended for at least a year, along with other penalties.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.