The Canadian government is taking steps to better train law enforcement to detect cannabis-impaired driving.
Canadian law enforcement will now take “Introduction to Drug-Impaired Driving” training curriculum that includes a special with a special emphasis on the signs and symptoms of cannabis impaired drivers.
Public Safety Canada announced the new curriculum today that will also become standard training for Border Services Officers employed at land ports of entry.
Increased training for police and border services officers will help keep our roads safe from drug-impaired drivers https://t.co/BoARD14gFu #CanadaRoadSafetyWeek pic.twitter.com/8MvcHVnm3K
— Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) May 22, 2018
“The increased training for police and border services officers will help keep our roads safe from drug-impaired drivers,” said federal public safety minister, Ralph Goodale. “Drug-impaired driving is illegal and will not be tolerated.”
“Driving after using drugs, even some prescription drugs, is just as dangerous as drinking and driving,” said RCMP Commissioner, Brenda Lucki. “The RCMP is updating and expanding the training available to all Canadian police officers that will strengthen their ability to continue to detect drug-impaired drivers.”
The announcement highlighted that drug-impaired driving is on the rise in Canada since police-reported data became available in 2009, and continues to be a major contributor to fatal road crashes.
According to the government release, young people continue to be the largest group of drivers who die in crashes and test positive for drugs.
