Drinking or doing drugs and driving
It's not only totally irresponsible,
it's a serious crime
Far too many Canadians, both young and old, have either been involved
in or know someone who has been involved in car crashes where the driver
was either drunk or stoned. If you've already been to our pages on
alcohol and marijuana, then you already have an understanding of how
both those substances affect your concentration, coordination and ability
to make decisions.
Driving is tough enough on its own
Think about it: a car is really just a giant chunk of steel on wheels
that weighs thousands of pounds and when something that heavy crashes
into something else, whether another car, a telephone pole or a person
walking down the street - someone inside or outside the car may get
hurt or killed. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize how important
it is for drivers to be fully awake and alert and free of alcohol and
other drugs before even starting the engine.
It's such a serious issue that even responsible drivers who volunteer
not to drink or to do drugs, in order to drive their friends around
(as the designated driver) may also have a tough time because high
or drunk passengers can create distractions for the driver.
And as if the risk of hurting or killing yourself or someone else
isn't enough, there are the legal factors that come into play - legal
penalties that are among the toughest in the world. Canada takes driving
while under the influence of any substance very seriously because it
really is a life and death issue.
Make sure you check out both sections below so you'll have a better
idea of the physical and legal risks of driving under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
MADD Canada Video - "Not Ready To
Go"
The video "Not Ready To Go" chronicles the events of 14
friends returning from a party to celebrate the end of the school year,
who got behind the wheel while impaired and became involved in a multi-vehicle
crash just outside of Perth, Ontario in 1999. Think twice before
driving while impaired or getting into a vehicle with someone who has
been drinking or taking drugs.
The following hyperlink is to a site of an organization or other
entity that are not subject to the Official Languages Act. The material
found there is therefore in the language(s) used by the site in question.
This public awareness video is available in Real format on the 
MADD
Canada web site. Scroll down to find "Not Ready to Go" and
other videos.
