The Staff Sergeant of the Steinbach RCMP detachment is alarmed by data showing 10 percent of drivers in Manitoba have illicit drugs in their system. Harold Laninga is reacting to the results of a voluntary survey of drivers that was done by Manitoba Public Insurance last year at five locations in the province including in Steinbach.

MPI says the purpose of the study was to establish a baseline for current drug and alcohol usage on Manitoba roadways. Of the 1,230 drivers who participated, 124 tested positive for some form of drug. In total, 53 per cent of drivers with drugs in their systems tested positive for cannabis, 31 per cent for cocaine, 12 per cent for opioids, and two per cent each for benzodiazepines and amphetamines/methamphetamines. 22 per cent of these drivers tested positive for more than one drug.

Laninga says the numbers are far higher than he would have expected.

"I was somewhat surprised by that and obviously concerned. When you look at it in comparison to the 2.4% of drivers who produce a blood-alcohol concentration, what we call a BAC, greater than zero, then it really brings home the number of 10%. So, when you consider that we average approximately 60 impaired drivers here (in the Steinbach detachment area) per year, if that's based on 2.4% of drivers, then when you look at the fact 10% of drivers have used drugs, that's a huge number. It's very disconcerting."

He adds, a recent survey indicated 25% of Manitobans would try marijuana if it was legalized and says, when you start adding some of those numbers into the mix, it is of even greater concern about the potential for impaired drivers on our roads. Laninga is also concerned to hear that 22% of the drivers who tested positive for drugs in their system in the MPI survey had more than one drug in their system.

Laninga says there are things we can watch for that can tip us off that a driver is impaired.

"It's very similar to that of a driver impaired by alcohol. You're likely going to see two different patterns of behaviour, people that are much more cautious and they're doing more shoulder checks and things like that and then you're seeing some of the people are going to be risk takers. What we look for is what we call a departure from the norm which can be an indication of impairment."

Laninga advises people to keep their distance from such drivers and to report them to police.

Read more:

MPI Surveys Steinbach Drivers For Drug And Alcohol Use