More than a quarter of millennials believe that marijuana doesn’t affect — and may even enhance — driving abilities, according to a new poll from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). They’re wrong, of course. But with legalization possibly just around the corner, the attitude raises a safety concern for dealers, their sales teams and anyone else who hands over the keys to a vehicle for someone else to drive.
A Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse study shows that marijuana impairs the cognitive and motor abilities necessary to operate a motor vehicle, and doubles the risk of crash involvement. That fact needs to be hammered home before and after marijuana is legalized, says Jeff Walker, vice president of public affairs, CAA National.
The CAA poll also found that almost two thirds of Canadians are concerned that the roads will become more dangerous as a result of marijuana legalization.
CAA is urging the federal government to fund public education campaigns that debunk myths and educate Canadians about the impact marijuana has on driving. The group is also looking for legislation discouraging drugged driving and enhanced law enforcement resources.
In addition to polling, CAA commissioned a study by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, which showed it could take 18 to 24 months for provincial and federal governments to implement drugged driving policy.
A CBC News report said that unlike breathalyzer machines for alcohol, there is no universally accepted roadside test for marijuana impairment, which could also soon create difficulties for law enforcement officials.
Other jurisdictions, like Colorado in the United States, have had to develop their own guidelines to help keep the roads safe. You can read more on their approach here.
This could soon be a bigger a concern for dealerships who have to balance a positive customer experience and their suspicion that somewhat might be high or under the influence of marijuana.
The full CAA report is available at http://caa.ca/drugdriving.
