G2 Alcohol and Drug Impairment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST)?
- A written quiz about drug effects
- A series of physical coordination and eye-movement tests to detect impairment (Correct answer)
- A blood pressure and pulse check
- A roadside breathalyzer for cannabis
Correct answer: A series of physical coordination and eye-movement tests to detect impairment
SFSTs are a battery of physical tests including walking a line and eye-movement checks that officers use to detect drug or alcohol impairment.
Question 2: What is a Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE)?
- A handheld device that detects drugs in breath
- A specially trained police officer who assesses drug impairment (Correct answer)
- A pharmacist who provides roadside testing
- A court-appointed toxicologist
Correct answer: A specially trained police officer who assesses drug impairment
DREs are police officers with specialized training to evaluate drug impairment through a structured 12-step evaluation process.
Question 3: Under Canada's federal law, what is the THC blood concentration limit for fully licensed drivers before a drug-impaired driving charge applies?
- Zero tolerance
- 2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) (Correct answer)
- 5 ng/mL
- 10 ng/mL
Correct answer: 2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
Federal law sets 2 ng/mL of THC in blood as the threshold for a less-serious drug-impaired driving charge; 5 ng/mL triggers a more serious per se offence.
Question 4: If police have reasonable grounds to suspect drug impairment, they may demand a G2 driver to:
- Surrender the vehicle on the spot
- Provide a urine or blood sample at a police station (Correct answer)
- Call a licensed pharmacist immediately
- Complete a written driving knowledge test
Correct answer: Provide a urine or blood sample at a police station
Officers can legally demand blood or urine samples at a police station to confirm drug impairment when they have reasonable grounds.
Question 5: How does cannabis use affect a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely?
- It improves reaction time and focus
- It has no measurable effect on driving
- It impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination (Correct answer)
- It only affects vision during nighttime driving
Correct answer: It impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination
Cannabis impairs multiple driving-critical functions including judgment, reaction time, and motor coordination, making it dangerous to drive.
Question 6: A G2 driver is prescribed medication that may cause drowsiness. What should they do before driving?
- Drive slowly and avoid highways only
- Consult the medication label or a doctor before driving (Correct answer)
- Only drive distances under 10 km
- Drive only during daylight hours
Correct answer: Consult the medication label or a doctor before driving
Drivers must check medication warnings and seek medical advice to determine whether it is safe to drive while taking the prescription.
Question 7: Why is it dangerous to combine alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter medications before driving?
- It increases fuel consumption
- Drug interactions can multiply impairing effects beyond what either substance causes alone (Correct answer)
- It only affects driving if both are taken on an empty stomach
- It is only dangerous for drivers over age 65
Correct answer: Drug interactions can multiply impairing effects beyond what either substance causes alone
Mixing alcohol with certain medications can significantly amplify impairment, making driving far more dangerous than either substance would alone.
G2 Alcohol and Drug Impairment 2
What is a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST)?