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Citation
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Woods-Fry H, Vanlaar WGM, Lyon C, Brown S, Robertson RD. Traffic Injury Research Foundation. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Traffic Injury Research Foundation, 2019. |
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Abstract
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This factsheet summarizes national trends from the Road Safety Monitor (RSM) regarding marijuana use among Canadian drivers. The RSM is an annual public opinion survey conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) in partnership with Beer Canada and Desjardins. The survey takes the pulse of the nation on key road safety issues by means of an online survey of a random, representative sample of 1,200 Canadian drivers.
This factsheet describes the first results based on RSM data since the legalization of marijuana in Canada in October 2018. Topics explored includethe prevalence of marijuana use, the prevalence of driving within two hours of using marijuana, perceptions about the impairing effects of marijuana, and concern about drugged driving.
This analysis of RSM data represents one of the first assessments of self-reported driving after using marijuana in Canada, and compares self-reported behaviours prior to marijuana legalization to behaviours one year following legalization.
A comparison of self-reported marijuana use immediately prior to legalization (12.9% in 2018) to usage rates one year post-legalization (23.3% in 2019) revealed a significant increase of 80.6%. These findings regarding the prevalence of marijuana use (irrespective of driving) are in line with published reports from Statistics Canada, which showed approximately 18% of Canadians reported using marijuana within the last three months, up from the 14% reported prior to legalization (Statistics Canada 2019).
Of greater concern, data also showed a significantly increasing trend in driving within two hours of using marijuana starting in 2013. In particular, the prevalence of drivers who reported driving within two hours of using marijuana increased 112% from 3.3% in 2018 to 7.0% in 2019. In addition, the percent of drivers admitting to driving within two hours of using marijuana combined with alcohol increased 76% in this timeframe, from 1.7% in 2018 to 3.0% in 2019.
In conclusion, the available data showed not only an increase in the use of marijuana since legalization, but also an increase in the prevalence of driving within two hours of using marijuana, by itself, or in combination with alcohol. These findings are concerning. The preponderance of the available evidence suggests an increased crash risk due to the possible impairing effects of marijuana and warrants caution for those who elect to use marijuana for recreational or medical purposes (Drug-Imparied Driving Learning Centre 2018; Robertson et al. 2019). Moreover, there is also evidence showing the impairing effects are additive when marijuana and alcohol are combined. Continued monitoring is necessary to understand how increased enforcement, as well as public education and awareness will impact the prevalence of these self-reported behaviours, and the understanding of the risks associated with marijuana and driving, notably when used in combination with alcohol. |