For decades, incidents of impaired driving were on the downside curve in Canada and here on Manitoulin Island, but in recent years the number of drivers being charged with impairment has begun to rise.
Part of the problem is a growing complacency and some of the rise can be linked to consumption of drugs as a means of impairment. While the impact of alcohol on judgement is fairly well known, the same does not appear to be true when it comes to driving drugged.
Studies have shown that people who consume cannabis and then get behind the wheel are, in fact, impaired. The problem is that studies also show that those consuming cannabis overestimate their ability to drive safely.
It doesn’t help that old and out-dated studies claiming that those driving under the influence of cannabis are more cautious still resonate in the public mind.
The simple truth is that a puff on a doobie, downing a THC gummie for “pain relief” or as a sleep aid, or sucking on one of those new-fangled vape pens. All will impair a driver’s ability to react swiftly to something happening on the road.
Vehicles are inherently dangerous. They are huge hunks of metal, plastic and glass that are hurtling at (literally) breakneck speed down the roadway. When the vehicle comes into contact with a solid object, or worse, another moving vehicle, the result is never positive for those travelling in the vehicle or vehicles—it is invariably bad news.
There are still far too many totally avoidable tragedies happening on our roads because someone chooses to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Many drivers who chose to drive intoxicated on drugs think that they will be immune from a RIDE check discovery—but nothing could be further from the truth. Today’s police officers are trained to a much higher level in detecting drug use and are gaining an ever-growing arsenal of high-tech tools that, combined with legislation that removes the need for “probable cause” in demanding a breath sample, makes driving drugged just as big a risk.
It might be tempting to roll the dice when leaving a party after having a couple of drinks or a puff or two on a joint, but the consequences are growing exponentially.
The province has recently tabled legislation that would see anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death lose their right to drive for life. But even should a tragedy not result from the decision to drive under the influence, there are serious and life-altering consequences. The immediate impounding of the vehicle being driven (never mind whose vehicle it actually is) and the 90-day suspension of a driver’s licence can impact employment. This is particularly challenging in rural areas such as Manitoulin’s communities, where public transit is basically non-existent—have a gander at the cost of a taxi ride just to deal with simple life chores. If you think the cost of groceries is high now… tack on a taxi ride or two and see what you think.
Driving impaired should not be tolerated. This paper has instituted a policy of naming and shaming those charged with impaired driving whenever we are supplied with the name of the charged, as allowing anonymity to stand is tantamount to enabling the practice. The Expositor seeks to be part of a solution—be warned, we will call you out.
Before setting out for an evening that could involve drinking or drugs, plan a safe way home.
The evidence is clear, just because you may have gotten away with it before, no amount of drugs or alcohol consumption is “safe” when operating a motor vehicle. Do the right thing, don’t drink or drug and drive.
To recall a phrase from anti-impairment campaigns of the past—the life you safe may be your own, in more ways than one.
