It's the holiday season, and roads can be treacherous enough without drunk or drug impaired driving. Manitoba Public Insurance Media Relations Spokesperson Brian Smiley says it's more than alcohol that's impairing motorists nowadays.

"Impaired driving goes way beyond alcohol. It also includes drug driving. And that's becoming more and more prevalent as we talk to our police partners. They're seeing more and more of it on the roadside. The message is that motorists need to be aware that the consumption and over-consumption situations of even prescribed drugs can have a very potential disastrous effect on your driving."

Smiley notes those taking prescribed drugs should take care to understand the warnings.

"We need to encourage people to have that discussion with their physicians about the drugs that they're being prescribed; how they may affect their driving. And, again for them to not over-consume, certainly to be diligent in taking their prescription drugs, but not over-taking them."

He adds, "And add in the other illegal drugs that are out there, whether it be marijuana or cocaine, those drugs can certainly have some very, very impairing effects on a person's ability to driving a motor vehicle."