Cannabis found in twice as many injured drivers since legalization: B.C. study
A new study out of the University of British Columbia suggests that cannabis is being detected in twice as many injured drivers since its 2018 legalization.
Dr. Jeffrey Brubacher, an associate professor at UBC and the principal investigator of the study, says before cannabis was legalized, 3.8 per cent of injured drivers had THC concentrations above the Canadian legal driving limit of two nanograms/ml. That percentage rose to 8.6 per cent after cannabis was legalized.
The amount of injured drivers with a THC concentration of above five nanograms/ml in their system also went up, from 1.1 per cent pre-legalization to 3.5 per cent after legalization.
"It's concerning that we're seeing such a dramatic increase," Brubacher says in a news release. "There are serious risks associated with driving after cannabis use. Our findings suggests more is needed to deter this dangerous behaviour in light of legalization."
Brubacher and his colleagues analyzed blood samples from 4,339 "moderately injured" drivers who received treatment at four B.C. trauma centres between 2013 and 2020.
Researchers found that those over the age of 50 made up the largest increase of drivers injured while under the influence of cannabis.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also suggests there weren't any significant changes in drivers testing positive for alcohol, on its own, or in combination with THC.
The federal government amended the Criminal Code when cannabis was legalized, which gave police more powers to test drivers who they suspected might be driving under the influence of drugs.
But Brubacher says the findings of the study show that it wasn't enough to deter cannabis impaired driving.
“We hope that policymakers will use our findings to design public information campaigns and enforcement measures that encourage drivers, especially older drivers, to separate cannabis use from driving. At the same time, it is important not to lose sight of alcohol impaired driving, which is extremely high risk, especially when combined with cannabis.”
The study suggests that while cannabis use is often associated with cognitive deficits, the presence of THC in the blood is not always an indicator that a collision was caused by cannabis impairment.
"Detecting cannabis, especially at low concentrations, doesn't necessarily mean a driver is impaired," Brubacher adds. "But the risk is real with higher THC levels, which is why it’s so important that we continue to assess and respond to the impact that legalization is having on road safety.”
Brubacher says his team is now expanding their research efforts to 15 trauma centres across Canada.
They plan to collect more information on the prevalence of cannabis, alcohol and other substances in injured drivers, which they hope could help guide traffic policies both nationally and provincially moving forward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.