Ontario has the highest rate of drug-impaired driving in Canada (StatsCan)

Jul 25 2017, 7:24 pm

Drugs and driving is becoming a real concern, especially in Ontario.

According to a new report by Statistics Canada on police-reported crimes, the number and rate for almost all drug-impaired driving violations across Canada increased in 2016 compared to the previous year.

“There were 3,098 drug-impaired driving violations in 2016, 343 more than the previous year and an 11% increase in the rate for drug-impaired driving,” reads the report.

This is despite a 3 per cent decrease in both the overall rate of impaired driving (alcohol is not included among drug-impaired driving statistics) and rate of cannabis-related offences.

The national rise in drug-impaired driving was driven primarily by Ontario, which posted a 38% increase in 2016 compared to 2015. British Columbia (+29%) and Quebec (+10%) also saw considerable increases, while Yukon, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nunavut saw their rates decrease.

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Given that these statistics only consider reported incidents, the real rate of drug-impaired driving is certainly higher.

“Despite the increase in the rate of drug-impaired driving, it remained low compared with the rate of alcohol-impaired driving (186 per 100,000 population),” reads the report.

“This may be partly explained by greater difficulties in measuring the level of drug impairment compared with alcohol impairment.”

The statistics validate the concern of many Canadians who think the looming legalization of cannabis will see more impaired drivers on the road. A study in April found that 80% of Canadians are concerned about people driving the under the influence of marijuana.

Marijuana survey results (State Farm)

Marijuana survey results (State Farm)

The findings also put more pressure on police to develop effective methods of roadside testing for high driving, in addition to enforcing stronger penalties for offenders.

Lloyd BraunLloyd Braun

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