Driving under the influence of drugs vs alcohol
In South Africa we have plenty of campaigns and initiatives to create awareness for the consequences of drinking and driving, but there is little mention of driving while under the influence of drugs.
While many countries have introduced the legalisation of marijuana, the possibility of an increase in impaired driving cases is cause for concern.
“Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs is a crime, but what defines a DUI (Driving under the influence) or DWI (Driving while intoxicated)?” This is the question raised in an article published by the O’Neill Moon Quedado LLP online.
Check out the infographic below which explains what is considered illegal in both Canada and the USA and what the differences are:
Infographic supplied by O’Neill Moon Quedado LLP online
“While major policies are being discussed, Canada can look at how states such as Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Washington DC, and Oregon are implementing their existing laws and regulations on impaired driving. Can Canadian and US driving laws serve as a Canada’s marijuana manual on creating laws for drug-impaired driving? If the information and trends in the above infographic are anything to go by, we can very well see Canada constructing a similar legal framework in the near future.”
Also read: Minister of Transport determined to keep drunk and illegal drivers in jail for longer
Whether marijuana becomes legalised in SA or not, driving under the influence of any substance (alcohol or marijuana), is putting your life and those around you at risk.
Source: O’Neill Moon Quedado LLP online