The Canadian Automobile Association is out with a new campaign that encourages Canadians to ‘do anything but drive’ when consuming any kind of cannabis.
The campaign comes after CAA research found alarming numbers in the younger generation of Canadians.
CAA’s research found that 1 in 5 Canadians between the ages of 18-24 say they’ve either driven high or been in a vehicle with a high driver.
Director of Public Affairs with CAA National Kristine D’Arbelles says these numbers prove there’s a need for education.
“If you’re going to indulge even if you don’t feel it, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to feel it. So just make sure you have a safe way to get home, that doesn’t include you driving.”
CAA’s main concern are cannabis edibles kicking in while someone is driving and that’s why they’re cracking down on these misconceptions before it happens.
D’Arbelles explains CAA’s key interest in cannabis research.
“CAA was founded on Road Safety in the early 1990’s, so when cannabis became legal we thought it was important to track it’s impact on road safety, to make sure our roads stay safe.”
CAA says young Canadians seem to understand the dangers of drunk driving, but it doesn’t always transfer to cannabis use.
“We want to make sure that the message they’ve grown up with, knowing that they have a plan for a safe route home if they’re going somewhere and consuming alcohol, we want to make sure they take that practice and apply it to cannabis as well.”
The goal of the campaign is to educate road users about the dangers of driving high.
CAA stresses this campaigns is not just for young people, but all Canadians.
The organization reminds all Canadians to not consume cannabis and drive high, in order to keep all road users safe.
