By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Alberta Government Reminds Public That Drugged Driving is Impaired Driving

Aug 7, 2016 | 12:43 PM

ALBERTA – The Government of Alberta and research foundations have released more data on impaired driving.

Last year in the province, nearly half of all 24-hour license suspensions were due to drug impairment

Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation, said that it comes as a surprise to many that drunk driving and drugged driving carry the same criminal charges.

“Few drivers are aware of the penalties for drugged driving and may believe alcohol- impaired drivers are more likely to be stopped by police than drug-impaired drivers.”

According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), in Canada during 2012, drugs were detected in 40 per cent of fatally injured drivers.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 12, 2024

Apr 12, 2024

Alberta is slightly above the national average at 41 per-cent. This represents 82 drivers who were killed in collisions during 2012 who tested positive for drugs.

For perspective, the TIRF reported 71 fatally injured drivers tested positive for alcohol during that same year. Of those, 34 had both alcohol and drugs in their system.

According to a study done by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, cannabis creates performance deficits in many skills required to drive safely, such as tracking, reaction time, visual function, concentration, short-term memory and divided attention.

Studies of driving performance (both simulated and on-road) show increased likelihood to swerve, following distance, and speed as a function of cannabis use.

Albertans have been vocal about the dangers of impaired driving.

In the 2014 driver attitude survey, seven in 10 Albertans agreed that too many people are driving under the influence of legal or illegal drugs.

MADD Canada has long reported that impaired driving is Canada’s leading cause of criminal death.