🚫 Drugged Driving in Québec: Do You Know the Risks?
By Ligue Automobile de Montréal – Driving School Blog
Published: September 10, 2025
Driving in Montréal and across Québec is more than a convenience—it’s a privilege that comes with great responsibility. At Ligue Automobile de Montréal, our mission is to promote road safety, informed driving, and public awareness.
While most drivers know the dangers of drinking and driving, fewer fully understand the risks of drug-impaired driving, also called drugged driving. Whether the substance is legal, prescribed, or recreational, impairment behind the wheel is both dangerous and illegal.
âť“ What Is Drugged Driving?
Drugged driving means operating a motor vehicle while impaired by any substance that affects your brain or nervous system. This includes:
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Cannabis
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Prescription medications (opioids, sedatives, benzodiazepines)
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Over-the-counter drugs (antihistamines, cough suppressants, sleep aids)
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Illegal substances (cocaine, methamphetamines, hallucinogens)
👉 Even legal or doctor-prescribed medications can reduce your reaction time, coordination, and judgment—skills essential for safe driving.
⚠️ The Risks Are Real
1. Your Safety—and Everyone Else’s
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Cannabis alone can double the risk of a crash.
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Mixing drugs or combining with alcohol multiplies the danger.
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Even “small amounts” impair focus and depth perception.
2. Legal Consequences in Québec
Québec has zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving. If stopped by police, you risk:
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Immediate licence suspension
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Heavy fines
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Criminal charges
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Vehicle impoundment
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A criminal record
This applies even if you consumed legally or hours before getting behind the wheel.
3. Financial & Insurance Fallout
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Insurance premiums may skyrocket.
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Policies can be cancelled.
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Convictions affect jobs, travel, and even car rentals.
đźš« Common Myths About Drugged Driving
❌ “I drive better when I’m high.”
False—studies show slower reaction times, reduced focus, and poor decision-making.
❌ “It’s just weed—it’s safer than alcohol.”
Not true—cannabis impairs differently, but the risks are just as serious.
❌ “I have a prescription, so I’m allowed.”
No—having a prescription doesn’t make it safe or legal to drive while impaired. Always check with your healthcare provider.
âś… Safer Choices = Safer Roads
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Plan ahead: Use public transit, a taxi, or a designated driver.
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Check labels: Look for “may cause drowsiness” or “avoid driving” warnings.
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Consult professionals: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects.
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Wait it out: Effects can last longer than expected, especially with edibles or strong medication.
🤝 A Shared Responsibility
At Ligue Automobile de Montréal, we know that education saves lives. Drugged driving endangers everyone—passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and fellow drivers.
🚦 The choice to drive sober is always the safest one.
đź“ž Call us at 514-844-7303
📧 Email: info@ladm.ca
Let’s work together to make Montréal’s roads safer.
Stay informed. Drive responsibly. Protect lives.
For official resources, visit SAAQ Québec.