March 16 – 22, 2025 is National Impaired Driving Prevention Week. MADD Canada is proud to join governments, law enforcement agencies and community organizations in raising awareness about the risks and consequences of impaired driving to prevent it. 

The Impaired Driving Problem

There is a perception among some that impaired driving is not a significant problem in Canada. The numbers tell a very different story.

  • An average of 9 federal criminal charges and provincial short-term licence suspensions are laid for impaired driving every single hour in Canada.
  • An average of 206 impaired driving charges and short-term suspensions are laid daily.
  • 78,480 total impaired driving charges and short-term suspensions are laid annually;

While impaired driving has declined over the years, these statistics show just how prevalent and critical the problem remains.

Beyond those statistics are the innocent victims and survivors of impaired driving. Every year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands are injured in alcohol and/or drug-related crashes.

These senseless deaths and injuries are 100% preventable.

Impaired Driving Is NOT An Accident. Let’s Drop The ‘A’ Word

To reflect the entirely preventable nature of impaired driving, and the related crashes, deaths and injuries, MADD Canada is asking everyone to drop the ‘A’ word. Impaired driving is not an ‘accident’. Hear our Former National President Jaymie-Lyne Hancock explain why.

Help Us Share The Message

Follow us and share the sober driving message on social media during Impaired Driving Prevention Week!  

You can also be part of our #acandlefor campaign in which you take photos or videos of yourself, family, friends and co-workers lighting a candle for loved ones who have been killed or injured by impaired drivers, or as a show of support for all victims and survivors. Use the #acandlefor hashtag and tag MADD Canada so we can see, like and share your posts!

MADD Canada:

Facebook – maddcanada.ca
Twitter – @maddcanada
Instagram – @maddcanada
Tik Tok – @maddcanada

MADD Canada National President Tanya Hansen Pratt

Facebook – @nationalpresidentmaddca
Twitter – @PresidentMADDCa
Instagram – nationalpresidentmaddca

Our Work To Prevent Impaired Driving And Support Victims/Survivors

MADD Canada is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in close to 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads.

Our work across Canada focuses on:

Victim/Survivor Services

Direct emotional support services and a wide range of resources for individuals who have lost a loved one or suffered a serious injury as a result of an impaired-driving crash.

Learn more:

Public Awareness

Campaigns to reach out to the public about the dangers of impaired driving, the tragic toll it takes on individuals and families, and how they can help improve safety on our roads, waterways and trails.

Learn more:

Youth Services

Specialized programming for elementary, middle schools and high school students to educate them about the dangers of mixing alcohol and/or drugs with driving, and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves.

Learn more:

Public Policy

Research, analysis and promotion of legislative best practices in impaired driving countermeasures, at both the federal and provincial/territorial levels, to strengthen Canada’s impaired driving laws.

Learn more: