Impaired driving is a deadly and persistent problem in Canada.
Despite federal and provincial/territorial laws and penalties, police enforcement and awareness efforts, and despite the obvious risk of crash, death and injury, Canadians are still getting behind the wheel impaired.
It does not just happen on the roads. People operate boats, ATVs and snowmobiles while impaired too.
The excuses for driving impaired are numerous and consistent. MADD Canada’s National Survey on Driving After Alcohol, Cannabis Or Illicit Drug Use asked Canadians about why they drove after using alcohol, cannabis or illicit drugs. The three most common answers were: they don’t feel impaired; they don’t have far to drive; and they think they can drive carefully.
But those excuses won’t matter when you’re pulled over by police, or worse, if you cause a crash that injuries or kills someone.
Impaired driving is 100% preventable. So are the crashes and the tragic deaths and injuries it causes.
As part of MADD Canada’s mission to stop impaired driving, we review and analyze impaired driving countermeasures in Canada and around the world, and identify best practices that can be implemented, at the federal or provincial/territorial levels, to reduce impaired driving in Canada. Learn more about our public policy initiatives.
For more information on this senseless crime and how you can join the fight to stop it, please tour our web site, or contact your local Chapter.