Traffic safety tips

December’s traffic safety focus is Impaired Driving.

Everyone deserves to make it home safely this holiday season. Be informed about the laws and how alcohol and cannabis use affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Most casualty collisions involving alcohol happen on the weekends between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Combining alcohol and cannabis impairs a driver even more than consuming cannabis or alcohol alone.

Let’s share the road safely and look out for each other. 

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Alcohol and driving

What affects your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

  • your sex
  • your weight
  • an empty stomach
  • medications
  • mood
  • fatigue level
  • the rate of consumption

Some people can be impaired even after consuming a small amount of alcohol. It’s important to assess your ability to drive regardless of how much you consume. The only safe level is zero consumption.

Cannabis and driving

Research has found that driving within several hours of consuming cannabis increases the risk of a crash that can result in injury or death. Cannabis is the most common drug found in drivers aged 16 to 19.

Research from the Canadian Centre of Substance Use and Addiction shows that, on average, cannabis use doubles the risk of being involved in a collision.

Effects of cannabis on driving can be less visible than those associated with alcohol, but they are every bit as impairing in their own way. Some of these effects include:

  • Reduced ability to divide your attention between your speed, other traffic, pedestrians and weather;
  • Poor time and space management which slows down your reaction time if conditions change (e.g. a car stopping suddenly in front of you)

Find a designated driver

An easy way to stay safe is to have a designated driver – someone who stays sober (doesn’t consume alcohol or drugs) and can get you to your destination. You can also call a taxi, Uber, other ride-share services or Keys Please. 

For more information including penalties and blood concentration levels for alcohol and cannabis levels, visit Calgary Police Service.

Check out the Calgary Traffic Tips booklet for the information you need to become more knowledgeable, safe and confident when moving around Calgary streets and sidewalks.

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