Manitoba handbook · chapter 6 · 19 min read

Consequences of impaired driving, unsafe driving and driving while suspended/disqualified

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• Section 2

• Consequences of impaired driving, unsafe driving and driving while v†vr;m7;7ņ7bvt†-ѴbC;7 1. Driving while impaired Impaired drivers usually fail to recognize they’re impaired. Alcohol or drug impairment delays reaction times, distorts vision and impairs judgment. Combining drugs and alcohol increases the impairment and is very dangerous. Never mix drugs and alcohol — even in small quantities.

Alcohol Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant. It reduces alertness and slows normal reflexes. If you’ve had too much to drink, black coffee, food, a cold shower or fresh air won’t sober you up — only time will eliminate alcohol from your body. Impaired drivers are among the most dangerous, unpredictable individuals on our roads and account for about one-third of all traffic fatalities in Manitoba. That explains why, in this province, the penalties for impaired driving are severe. If your ability to drive is impaired, a charge of impaired driving can be laid regardless of what level of alcohol is found in your blood. Accordingly, the safest rule to follow is: if you drink — don’t drive.

Drugs Prescription drugs Tranquilizers, antidepressants, sleeping pills and similar drugs can affect your driving ability even if taken in the prescribed dosage. Accordingly, if you continue to drive while impaired by any medication, you can be charged with driving while impaired. This will result in the same consequences as if you were impaired by alcohol. Discuss the possible effects of any medication with your doctor or pharmacist.

Illegal drugs Illicit drugs may cause hallucinations, hostility and aggressiveness in addition to dulling normal thought processes and slowing down eye-hand coordination.

Cannabis Think you’re a better driver when you’re high? Think again. Use of cannabis affects reaction time and concentration and the ability to make safe decisions on the road. Research from a number of sources shows that drivers under the influence of cannabis are at a crash risk that is several times higher compared to sober drivers. This risk increases even more when cannabis and alcohol are combined, enhancing the impairing effects of both.