The first ever “National Survey On Driving After Alcohol, Cannabis and Drug Use” done for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada did not produce flattering results.
The poll, conducted between May 28 and June 8 by IPSOS asked Canadians across the country a variety of questions about consumption of alcohol, cannabis or a non-prescribed illicit drug and whether or not they had driven knowing that they shouldn’t.
- Among the 67% of drivers who used alcohol in the past 30 days, one in ten (10%) drove knowingly impaired at least once within the past 6 months, with a slight majority of these (53%) driving with passengers.
- Among the 28% of drivers who used cannabis in the past 30 days, two in ten (19%) drove knowingly impaired at least once within the past 6 months, with a large majority of these (71%) driving with passengers.
- Among the 9% of drivers who used a non-prescribed illicit drug (stimulant, depressant, hallucinogen, opioid, etc.) in the past 30 days, three in ten (29%), drove knowingly impaired at least once within the past 6 months, with a vast majority of these (85%) driving with passengers.
The most likely group to engage in this behaviour are young men between the age of 18-34. It is that demographic that MADD Canada President Andrew Murie says need to be educated as they seemingly have a sense of invincibility which is wrong.
“It’s a dangerous level of thinking.”Murie said. “There is a lot of cockiness with people in that age group and by the time something happens that they may be able to control when they are sober, they are unable most times to control it and kill or injure themselves or others. It’s nothing new, but the excuses we hear are unacceptable so we need as everyone to stop people from doing something they regret.
Murie says while Saskatchewan has made tremendous progress on stopping drinking and driving which he is thankful for, but he says the message is one that needs to be continuously hammered home whether it be here or in other provinces.
