In a recent survey conducted by CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO), troubling trends have come to light, indicating a significant increase in cannabis-impaired driving, particularly involving the consumption of edibles. The 2023 survey highlights a concerning rise, with 38 per cent of cannabis-impaired drivers in Ontario admitting to consuming edibles before getting behind the wheel. This marks a startling 12 per cent increase from the previous year and more than doubles the rate recorded in 2019.
Michael Stewart, Community Relations Consultant at CAA SCO, expressed concern over the findings, stating, “The data shows us that while drivers primarily engage in cannabis-impaired driving after smoking a joint, the prevalence of driving under the influence of edibles is on the upswing, and that poses a greater risk to road safety. Edibles are harder to detect and can take up to two hours for the effects to kick in.”
According to the survey, 7 per cent of Ontario drivers, roughly equivalent to 750,000 individuals, admit to driving after consuming some form of cannabis in the past three months.
The survey also revealed that almost three-quarters (70 per cent) of cannabis-impaired drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel within three hours of consumption, and nearly half (45 per cent) reported feeling high while driving.
Stewart emphasized the misconception surrounding the impact of cannabis on driving ability, stating, “Despite the misconception that cannabis may not impair driving ability, it affects coordination, reaction time, attention, judgment, and decision-making. We want to emphasize our commitment to public education, urging motorists to stay informed about the risks and penalties of impaired driving.”
The consequences of impaired driving are evident in the survey, with 6 per cent of Ontario drivers admitting to having been charged—a doubling from the previous year. Collisions caused by impaired driving also rose to 6 per cent in 2023, compared to 4 per cent in the preceding year.
As the holiday season approaches, CAA is reminding drivers to make alternate arrangements, such as utilizing rideshare services, to ensure a safe journey home. Stewart concluded, “While edibles may be legal, CAA emphasizes that they are incompatible with responsible driving.”
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
