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Impaired Driving> Drug Impairment
Overview: What do we know about drug-impaired driving?
Illicit use of narcotics along with improper use of prescription andnon-prescription medications is harmful to one’s health and is illegal in Canada. Drugs come in many forms and have a wide range of possible effects and side effects. Some drugs create a physiological or psychological dependence, or both.
Over time, some people develop tolerance to a drug and require higher dosages in order to experience the effects they desire. Certain drugs' effects can be short-term in nature or can stay in the body over long periods of time. Drugs can generally affect a person in three ways. They can accelerate or decelerate one’s physiological system and can distort one’s perceptions.
Drug usage in combination with alcohol consumption can impair one’s driving ability and significantly increase the likelihood of a vehicle collision. The Canadian Criminal Code prohibits any motorist from driving impaired, not only by alcohol, but also by drugs. These include illicit drugs, as well as misuse of prescription and non-prescription medications. If caught while driving impaired by drugs, the motorist will be charged for impaired driving under the Canadian Criminal Code. The code includes operating motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, watercraft and off-road motorcycles.
The following links provide information about drug-impaired driving and its consequences:
For more information, contact a Road Safety representative at 1-204-985-8001.
