It is an old and repetitive sad story. People driving under the influence injuring or killing others. In our borough of Park-Extension a driver under the influence can most certainly do a lot more damage. Park-Ex is a tightly populated area with schools, small businesses and lots of pedestrians living close to each other and crossing major arteries like Jean Talon Street daily. The findings of this latest study are of particular concern since it revealed that many Canadians drive after consuming alcohol, cannabis, and illicit drugs, medications (prescribed or not) or other substances for recreational purposes or to get high even though they believe they are impaired.
The study was done by MADD Canada’s second National Survey On Driving After Alcohol, Cannabis, Or Drug Use. These behaviours are elevated among young males aged 18-34.
The poll, released during Impaired Driving Prevention Week, March 20 – 26, was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of MADD Canada. It asked Canadians aged 18-70 with a valid driver’s licence, about consumption of alcohol, cannabis, and illicit drugs, medication (prescribed or not) or other substances for recreational purposes or to get high, and whether they had driven while believing they were impaired by these substances.
• Among the 67% of drivers who used alcohol in the past 30 days, 6% drove at least once in the past six months believing they were impaired, with just over a third (35%) driving with passengers.
• Among the 27% of drivers who used cannabis in the past 30 days, 7% drove at least once in the past six months believing they were impaired, with a slight majority (56%) driving with passengers.
• Among the 16% of drivers who used an illicit drug, medication (prescribed or not) or other substance for recreational purposes or to get high in the past 30 days, 7% drove at least once in the past six months believing they were impaired, with a vast majority of these (83%) driving with passengers.
“Despite the laws, despite the awareness, and despite the possibility of crash, death or injury, some Canadians continue to drive after consuming alcohol, cannabis or drugs, when they believe they are impaired, and many of them have passengers on board,” said Eric Dumschat, Legal Director for MADD Canada. “It is both alarming and unacceptable that these drivers are willing to risk their own safety and the safety of others.”
The survey results showed that young males, aged 18-34, are the most likely group to drive after alcohol, cannabis, or drug consumption. The number of Canadians expressing some level of indifference or expressing some misconceptions regarding impaired driving continues to be of great concern.
“The survey results suggest the need for new and different education, awareness and outreach strategies to address misperceptions, to change impaired driving behaviours, and to reduce the rate of passengers who get into vehicles with drivers who have been drinking, consuming cannabis or other drugs,” Mr. Dumschat said.
