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5. Smashed: A Sober Look at Drinking and Driving

Smashed: A Sober Look at Drinking and Driving

TP 1535 E
1999, revised 2008

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Impaired Driving: Still a Problem

Impaired driving remains a significant road safety, health and economic issue in Canada. Through the 70s and 80s significant progress was made in reducing the numbers of drivers on the roads who had been drinking. However, since the mid 90s, there has been very limited progress made in reducing the carnage on our roads.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, all levels of government have been working together on impaired driving through the Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving (STRID) of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA). Governments are continuing to strengthen policies and programs to address impaired driving with medical assessment and treatment, alcohol ignition interlocks, administrative licence suspensions and vehicle impoundment. The Criminal Code of Canada has been amended to increase the penalties under the Criminal Code, streamline the law and authorize the use of Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) to deal with drug impairment.

However, more work needs to be done, including looking at other impairing factors such as examining fatigue and distraction. Legislative options include the use of Random Breath Tests, mandatory testing after a serious collisions and the best way to deal with low-level Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) drivers. Possible improvements in alcohol ignition interlock programs include increasing their use and the development of the next generation of devices, which operate passively.

Maintaining and supporting enforcement efforts by our police partners is a key requirement to remind drivers of all ages of the serious criminal, financial and injury risks an impaired driver faces.

In the end, the decision to drink and drive or not is a personal decision. All drivers need to consider their behaviour and how to best protect themselves, their family and friends and other road users who depend on them to make a safe decision.

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If you need an alternative format or for more information, please contact us by e-mail at RoadSafetyWebMail@tc.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-333-0371 (Ottawa area (613) 998-8616).

Date modified:

2009-09-02

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