As National Impaired Driving Week comes to an end, and with Distracted Driving Month coming up in April, the GNWT is sharing a handful of tips to help avoid the deadly effects of impaired driving.
Impaired driving is considered to be any operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, drugs, and even some prescription medications. Any use or combination of substances can have an effect on one’s perception and reaction ability to the world around them, and when driving a vehicle, it can have disastrous consequences.
Not only can drugs and alcohol damage one’s driving ability, but so can fatigue. When a driver is too tired and sleep deprived, their response ability is similarly impacted. When driving at high speeds, being unable to keep one’s eyes open for even three seconds can result in a serious accident.
When it comes to distracted driving, some statistics from CAA report that 47% of drivers have admitted to have responded to text messages while driving, either by typing or using voice-to-text. CAA also shares that 94% of teen drivers acknowledge the risks of distracted driving, but 35% still admit to checking their phones on the road. Drivers who engage with some kind of distracting activity are eight times more likely to get into an accident compared to those who stay focused.
To help prevent as many accidents as possible, the GNWT is encouraging drivers to plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver, keep the phone away, encourage others to drive safe, and share safety advice throughout local communities and on social media.
