That is the question that will not leave the minds of Alberta’s residents. Those same residents feel concerned about the chance that the legalization of marijuana will lead to an increase in the number of impaired drivers on the road. Those men and women that supported the legalization try to calm the residents’ concerns by quoting some statistics.
Statistics quoted by those that see no link between the legalization of marijuana and a possible increase in the number of impaired drivers.
The risks of an accident, when some drivers are using weed, increases to a level 1-3x that of the original risk. While the risks of an accident, when some drivers are drinking alcohol increases to a level 20-200x that of the original risk.
Evidence that contradicts the statistics
Marijuana impairs the user’s reaction time. He or she has a slower reaction time, along with a decreased ability to concentrate on a given effort. That decreased concentration gets accompanied by a dimming of both the user’s focus and attention.
A user of marijuana should expect to encounter problems with his or her short-term memory. If you use weed, you should anticipate a lowering in your level of visual function. The smoking of weed manages to impair the smoker’s motor coordination. In light of the above evidence, Alberta has chosen to make certain changes in the rules for motorists.
Expected changes in Alberta’s motor vehicle codes
Graduated Driver Licensing will forbid advancement to any driver that has complied with the program’s 0 tolerance for both alcohol and marijuana. There will be sanctions placed on those drivers that have a given level of either substance (alcohol or marijuana) in the bloodstream.
Someone with a specified drug concentration in the blood would face immediate suspension of his or her license. The length of the suspension would depend on the user’s willingness to take part in an ignition interlock program.
Before taking part in the possible program, the guilty driver faces seizure of his or her vehicle. Next, the same driver gets a chance to take part in remedial education. Finally, the educated driver gets invited to take part in an ignition interlock program.
Those that agree to take part in the ignition interlock program face only a 90-day suspension of their license. Those that refuse to take part in such a program face a full year suspension of their license. In other words, the punishment meted out to those drivers impaired by marijuana will be the same as the punishment given to those that drink and drive. The only drivers that can expect a slightly milder punishment will be those that agree to take part in the ignition interlock program. Thus, contact a personal injury lawyer in Spruce Grove if have been a victim of an accident due to drug induced negligence by the driver.