A campaign has been launched in Ontario urging residents not to get high and get behind the wheel.
The #DontDriveHigh campaign – unveiled this week by
CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) – aims to “reinforce that smoking cannabis can impair motor skills, reaction time, perception and judgment.”
The campaign kickoff took place at SPiN Toronto, where participants got to test their reaction time playing ping pong while using cannabis goggles.
“CAA SCO worked with The Turn Lab, to create a series of videos demonstrating the impact cannabis has on concentration, coordination, reaction time and decision making,” a release notes, adding that the campaign is “geared towards young drivers to remind them that even though cannabis is legal, it’s not harmless, especially in situations where reaction time, motor skills and judgment are critical.”
Teresa Di Felice of CAA SCO says “just because you think you may be able to drive while high, doesn’t mean you should.”
“It’s important to remember that if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, find an alternative to driving so you can arrive where you’re going safely,” Felice added.
CAA’s #DontDriveHigh campaign reinforces that smoking cannabis can impair motor skills, reaction time, perception and judgement. Our message is simple – Don’t drive high. https://t.co/EymUScJzHt
— CAA South Central ON (@CAASCO) December 19, 2018
CAA says its research shows that there is a gap in awareness of the effects of using cannabis, specifically, in young men.
Men aged 25 to 34 are the most likely to drive under the influence of cannabis. Many are novice drivers who live in busy, urban areas, according to CAA.
“Our research shows that many Ontario drivers believe that there is a strong need for public education around cannabis legislation,” said Felice. “Our campaign aims to educate young drivers with fun yet thought-provoking videos.”
To learn more about the campaign and cannabis-impaired driving, visit the CAA Advocacy cannabis education hub.
