Cannabis and driving

Hi Resident,

It is important for family and friends to understand the dangers of driving from taking cannabis:

- Inaccuracies perceiving the road and can have a marked impact on reaction times

- Hinders a driver's ability to accurately assess distances, which in turn may affect their         capacity to manoeuvre the vehicle correctly

- Pose a threat not only to themselves, but also to other drivers and the wider public

It is important that driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal, regardless of prescription status, and is regarded in a similar light as drink-driving in the UK. 
 

Penalties can be:

- A driving ban of 12 to 36 months

- A possible prison sentence of up to 6 months (reserved for more serious cases)

- An unlimited fine, determined on a case-by-case basis

- The conviction will result in a criminal record, potentially affecting foreign travel plans and current/future employment

- The defendant's licence being endorsed for 11 years, which can lead to higher insurance premiums