SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 28, 2025 – As cannabis edibles become more popular across Canada, new research from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) is sending a clear message to drivers in BC: if you’re consuming edibles, you need to plan a safe ride home. A fresh two-part study shows that the impact of THC on driving is stronger and lasts longer than many people realize, especially several hours after eating an edible.
Edibles can impair driving for hours – not just a quick buzz
The CAA/BCAA research combines public opinion data with simulator-based testing carried out by the University of Saskatchewan. In the simulator, drivers who consumed cannabis edibles showed compromised reaction time, poorer lane discipline and weaker speed control – all critical skills for staying safe behind the wheel.
Most striking is how the collision risk increased over time. At just 1.5 hours after consuming an edible, nearly one-third (30%) of participants were involved in a collision in the simulator. That rose to 44% at 2.5 hours and peaked at 58% four hours after consumption, highlighting how edibles can remain a serious safety risk long after someone “feels fine.”
“Cannabis has been legalized for some time now, but we're concerned that its effects on driving aren't well understood," says Shawn Pettipas, BCAA's Director of Corporate Purpose. "BCAA's focus is on keeping everyone safe on the roads and we want to help people to make informed choices to stay safe."
BC drivers underestimate the risk of driving high
Alongside the simulator results, the study also checked how people think about cannabis and driving. In BC, 11% of adults – more than one in ten – admit to driving while high, above the national average of 8%. Many also see cannabis-impaired driving as less of a personal safety threat than other risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol, using their phone, running red lights, driving aggressively or speeding on residential streets.
That gap between perception and reality is exactly what worries BCAA. When people treat driving after edibles as “no big deal,” they’re more likely to get behind the wheel during those peak impairment hours without realizing the risk they pose to themselves and others on the road.
If you can’t drive your body, you can’t drive your car
To help close that gap, BCAA is leaning into a simple, memorable rule: If You Can't Drive Your Body, You Can't Drive Your Car. The organization is urging anyone who uses cannabis, especially edibles, to build a safe ride into their plans from the start.
BCAA recommends choosing one of these options before consuming:
- A designated sober driver among friends or family
- A taxi or ride-hailing service
- Public transport, where available
- Staying overnight where you are, instead of driving home
"This new data really puts into perspective that the delayed onset of edibles can catch drivers off guard and have a significant impact on driving abilities," says Shawn Pettipas. "With edibles increasing in popularity and the holidays coming up, we want everyone to enjoy themselves and get home safely. Know the effects and plan ahead."
Editorial extra: 3 simple rules for safer nights with edibles
For anyone in BC planning to enjoy cannabis edibles, these three habits can make a big difference:
- Decide your ride first. Choose how you’ll get home before you consume anything – don’t leave the decision until you’re already high.
- Count on more time, not less. Assume edibles will affect your driving for several hours; if you’re unsure, treat that as a “no-drive” signal.
- Stick to the slogan. If you feel clumsy, slow, giggly, heavy, or just “off,” remember: if you can’t drive your body, you definitely shouldn’t drive your car.
A province-wide campaign to make the message stick
To bring the research to life in everyday situations, BCAA is launching a province-wide road safety campaign in mid-December, aligned with a national CAA campaign. The ads use relatable, funny-but-real scenarios to show how ordinary tasks like tying your shoes, grabbing a snack or answering the door can suddenly feel surprisingly difficult after consuming an edible.
Through spots like “Doorbell”, “Candy” and “Shoelace,” the campaign reminds people that if something as simple as bending down or opening a wrapper feels hard, you’re in no state to handle a vehicle. The core message remains the same: If You Can't Drive Your Body, You Can't Drive Your Car.
Backed by its long-standing role as a top employer in BC and provider of mobility and protection services for more than one in three BC households, BCAA wants British Columbians to enjoy cannabis responsibly, protect each other on the road and treat impaired driving with the seriousness it deserves. Learn more about cannabis-impaired driving risks and safe-ride options through BCAA’s official channels and road safety resources.
Learn more about BCAA’s road safety initiatives at https://www.bcaa.com.