Driving, Cycling and Cannabis Use

Drug impaired driving is illegal in Canada. Not only is it illegal, it is dangerous. If you are driving, consuming cannabis can increase your risk of being involved in a collision.

  • Don’t drive impaired.
  • Don’t get into a car with someone driving impaired.
  • Plan a safe ride home (use public transit, use a designated driver, call someone for a ride, cab or rideshare, stay over).
  • Start a conversation about cannabis and driving – it could save lives.
Facts about driving and cannabis use
  • Driving high can double the risk of death and serious injury in a motor vehicle collision.
  • One in three of those who have used cannabis in the past year have driven within two hours of consuming cannabis.
  • Two in five people have been a passenger with a cannabis impaired driver.
  • Every three hours a drug impaired driving offence is recorded in Canada.
  • Drinking alcohol and using cannabis before driving increases the risk of getting into a collision.

Cannabis reduces your ability to drive and cycle by impairing your:

  • memory
  • motor skills
  • balance and coordination
  • concentration and attention
  • judgement and decision making
  • reaction time

Sources: Cannabis and driving, Health effects, Impaired driving in Canada  
Facts about cycling and cannabis use
It is dangerous to ride a bicycle while impaired by cannabis. A cyclist riding in an unsafe manner can be charged.

Plan a safe ride home

  • use public transit
  • use a designated driver
  • call someone for a ride
  • cab or rideshare
  • stay over

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