Too many young Canadians still driving stoned, CAA finds
One in five young Canadians age 18 to 24 say they have driven high or been in a vehicle with a high driver. That’s 20 percent! In response, Canada’s clubs, including CAA Quebec, are joining forces to launch a new campaign aimed at building awareness among teens and keeping them out of harm’s way.
According to Ian Jack, vice president of public affairs at CAA, the results of the CAA survey(1) point to the need for more public education to make sure everyone understands the risks of driving high.
“Our Do Anything But Drive campaign takes a light-hearted approach to the reality that some young people will take cannabis edibles,” said Jack. “Whatever else you choose to do, plan ahead. Make arrangements for a safe way home. Take a taxi. Have a designated driver. Stay at a friend’s house. Just don’t ever get behind the wheel when you’re high.”
The national campaign(2) targets Gen Z with a simple, effective message: “If you’re going to do edibles, do anything but drive.”
Added Jack: “We’re hoping Gen Z will take the campaign message to heart and show the kind of leadership for themselves and others we know they can.”
The campaign can be seen on Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram, four platforms that are widely used by Gen Z.
Driving high as bad as driving drunk
Although social views of drunk driving have largely evolved, people continue to underestimate the impact cannabis has on their ability to drive. A third of Canadians believe it’s safe to drive less than five hours after taking edibles.
Worse still, 12% of respondents to CAA’s survey were of the opinion that being high didn’t have any effect on their driving ability, or even improved it.
Marco Harrison – Director, CAA-Quebec Foundation
Edibles are probably the most unpredictable type of cannabis product. The effects take longer to kick in (up to 2 hours vs. just a few minutes when smoked), which can lead users to misjudge the effects. That can lead people to take more or worse, get behind the wheel, believing they’re still apt to drive.
Strict rules for cannabis in Quebec
When cannabis was legalized in October 2018, CAA-Quebec began publishing a fact sheet about driving while high, reminding people that road safety always comes first. Quebec’s Highway Safety Code is very clear in that regard, taking a zero-tolerance approach to driving while high, regardless of the driver’s level of experience. Those caught breaking the rules face an immediate 90-day suspension of their driver’s licence.
And although the production and sale of edibles has been legal in Canada since December 2019, only a few have been greenlighted for sale in Quebec’s SQDC stores. Products deemed highly appealing to people under the age of 21, such as candies, sweets, chocolates, and desserts, are prohibited.
About CAA-Québec
CAA-Quebec is a not-for-profit organization that assists each of its members by providing mobility, travel, insurance, and residential benefits, products, and services. CAA was named Canada’s most trusted brand in the annual Brand Trust Index for 2020 by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.
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(1) The survey was conducted from June 5 to 16, 2020, and garnered responses from 2,824 Canadians. A probability sample of the same size would have resulted in a margin of error of ±1.84%, 19 times out of 20.
(2) The Do Anything But Drive campaign, developed by Vancouver-based agency One Twenty Three West, launched September 14 across Canada. CAA received funding from Health Canada for the campaign.