In Canada, it is a Criminal Code offence to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Saskatchewan, there are also administrative suspensions for impaired driving from alcohol or drug use. Impaired driving is the leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan.
Alcohol and drugs affect everyone differently. Contributing factors for impairment include age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed, medication and other factors.
The brain functions first affected by alcohol or drug consumption are not only important to our ability to drive safely, but are the same ones required to make rational decisions about not driving after drinking. For this reason, you must make the decision to separate drinking and drug use from driving. Make the necessary alternate transportation plans before your activities begin.
Prescription, over-the-counter, and illegal drugs affect your brain function. Some will directly affect your driving. Brain and body activity may be slowed, directly impacting a driver’s reaction time; vision may be blurred, or doubled, or there may be inaccurate depth perception. Some drugs cause hallucinations, paranoia, disorientation, anxiety or over-confidence which may result with aggressive behaviours.
Many people think that driver impairment is caused exclusively by ingestion of alcohol. However, if that person already has another drug in their system, the impairing effect on the functioning of the central nervous system (brain) is far greater than the impairing effect of the alcohol and the impairing effect of the other drugs combined; it is not a simple adding together of impairment, but rather a multiplier effect!
Do not drive while under the influence of any amount of alcohol or drugs.
Impaired driving legislation is applicable to impairment by alcohol, as well as impairment by any other drug. In Saskatchewan, there is zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving.
For additional information on drinking, drugs and driving, please visit the Saskatchewan Driver's Handbook.