POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 105 can significantly affect any driver’s abilities, whatever their experience driving. Cannabis impairs balance and coordination, judgement, reaction time, attention, and decisionmaking skills.2 Driving high also increases the likelihood of a crash. Recent research shows a 1.3 to 3.0 fold increase in the risk of a motor vehicle collisions after cannabis use.3 MYTH: Driving while high is not nearly as dangerous as driving drunk. Studies show that driving high nearly doubles the risk of an accident – yet over a third of teens feel that driving after cannabis is not as risky as drunk driving. FACT: In a recent study by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, cannabis was the drug most often detected among drivers killed in road crashes, surpassing alcohol. In 2016, among those drivers tested for drugs, 23.3% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for cannabis, a steady increase over previous years. Drivers aged 16 to 19 years and 20 to 34 years were most likely to test positive for cannabis.4 MYTH: High driving doesn’t kill anyone – there is nothing in the news about it. 45% of Canadians who have died in a vehicle crash with drugs in their system have tested positive for weed.5 FACT: Cannabis use has been associated with a significantly increased risk of fatal crash involvement. There is evidence that cannabis is one of the most frequently detected drugs in fatally injured in drivers worldwide.6 There may not be a lot of news coverage, but collisions due to cannabis impairment are common. MYTH: The police can’t tell if I’m driving high. 3,489 – That is the number of drug impaired violations reported in Canada in 2017.7 FACT: Police officers can administer roadside tests to check for cannabis impairment – using testing devices or calling in specially trained drug recognition officers. MYTH: It’s no big deal if I get pulled over they’ll will let me off with a slap on the wrist. It is against the law for young and new drivers to drive after consuming any amount of cannabis, alcohol, or other drugs. FACT: In most places in Canada, it is zero tolerance for cannabis or alcohol impaired driving. Young drivers should understand that according to the Criminal Code of Canada, the minimum penalty for the first offence of being caught driving while impaired is a hefty fine of $1000, along with a one year driving prohibition. MYTH: If I wait an hour or so after smoking weed, I’ll be okay to drive. FACT: According to CAAfunded research, young people who inhale cannabis remain at a greater risk of a vehicle crash even five hours after consumption. The effects of edible cannabis can take longer to appear, and the impairing effects can last longer too. While research varies, edibles may remain in a person’s system for up to 12 hours. ILLEGAL DRUGS The list of illegal drugs includes hallucinogens, ecstasy, cocaine, and LSD, Methamphetamine, crack, heroin, and crystal meth. All of these cause various effects such as hallucinations, impulsivity, irritability, dizziness, anxiety, loss of coordination, and a false sense of alertness. Cocaine is the most common illegal drug found in fatally injured drivers. It is associated with speeding, losing control of the vehicle, making unsafe turns in front of other vehicles, aggressive driving and inattentive driving. Those who drive under the influence of cocaine are two to ten times more likely to crash than an unimpaired driver. Driving under the influence continued continued
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