As winter settles in and holiday gatherings fill the calendar, CAA is sharing an important reminder: cannabis edibles and driving don’t mix. New research commissioned by CAA shows that edibles significantly impair driving ability for hours — long after many users assume they’re safe to get behind the wheel.
With snow on the ground and seasonal road conditions already affecting visibility and reaction time, the risks are even higher. This holiday season, we’re encouraging Niagara residents to plan a safe ride home if they choose to consume cannabis.
Why Cannabis Edibles Pose a Higher Risk for Drivers
According to new CAA polling, 1 in 5 Canadians reports having driven while high or ridden as a passenger with someone under the influence of cannabis. The trend is especially common among young drivers — a group that already faces heightened road safety risks.
Edibles have become increasingly popular since legalization, but they come with unique concerns:
- Delayed onset (up to 2+ hours)
- Longer-lasting impairment
- Unpredictable intensity
These factors make it easy for users to underestimate their impairment, creating dangerous situations on the road.
Driving safely starts with awareness — check out our Winter Driving Tips or Winter Car Checklist to prepare for seasonal hazards.
Holiday Safety: Plan Your Ride Home Before You Celebrate
Whether you’re heading to a holiday dinner, office party, or New Year’s celebration, a quick plan can prevent a dangerous situation:
- Arrange a safe ride home before consuming (designated driver, ride-share, taxi, or transit).
- Give edibles extra time — impairment can last longer than expected.
- Check in on friends who may think they’re safe to drive.
- Never drive under the influence, even if you “feel fine.”
What the New CAA-Funded Study Found About Edibles and Driving
A new simulator-based study from the University of Saskatchewan — funded by CAA — shows just how significantly cannabis edibles impact driving performance over time.
Key findings include:
- 30% collision rate at 1.5 hours post-consumption
- 44% collision rate at 2.5 hours
- 58% collision rate at 4 hours
- Impairment in reaction time, lane discipline, and speed control
- Prolonged effects that last much longer than users expect
These insights highlight the real danger of getting behind the wheel too soon after consuming edibles.
A Campaign With a Clear Message
To help young Canadians make safer choices, CAA National has launched a new campaign focused on cannabis-edible impairment. The campaign highlights how everyday tasks, like tying your shoes, grabbing a snack, or answering the door, can feel unexpectedly difficult after consuming an edible.
These everyday scenarios reinforce a simple, memorable message:
If you can’t drive your body, you can’t drive your car.
For a deeper look at how cannabis affects driving — and what CAA is doing to keep roads safer — visit CAA National's cannabis-impaired driving resource page.
Stay Safe on the Roads This Winter
Winter weather already adds challenges — reduced traction, longer stopping distances, and poor visibility. Adding cannabis impairment on top of that multiplies the risk.
For more resources to stay safe on Niagara roads:
- Read our Winter Driving Tips
- Check your Winter Car Checklist
- Learn more about Slow Down, Move Over
- Explore AAPEX winter driving courses
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