A few statistics

Impaired driving awareness campaigns have increased over the years, and statistics show that this effort has paid off. But with cannabis legalization just around the corner, these stats might change, and public perceptions will need to be addressed.

The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) organization works tirelessly to remind people that alcohol and drugs are the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada.¹

According to MADD, road accidents were responsible for 2,546 deaths in 2012. Of these fatalities, 1,497 (58,8%) involved drivers with drugs or alcohol in their systems.¹

With the legalisation of cannabis just a few months away, MADD welcomes the proposed federal impaired driving legislation which aims to improve roadside screening and introduce new charges for drugged driving. 

The human and financial cost

Impaired related accidents can cause considerable property damage. Further it can cause irreparable harm to both people and their families. But if you drive while impaired, the impacts don’t stop there.

• Your driver’s licence will be immediately suspended. Then you may need to pay the cost of vehicle towing and storage.
• On top of having your licence suspended for a year, there’s a minimum fine of $1,000.
• Add to that the legal fees, extra insurance impacts and in some cases the cost of installing an alcohol interlock device.
• An impaired driving conviction means you’ll pay more for car insurance. For instance, a 24-year-old man might see his premium increase from $792 to $2,376, and for a 40-year-old man, the annual premium could go up from $539 to $1,617.²
• It’s also worth noting that entering the United States might be more complicated with an impaired driving conviction.

True of false—beware of myths about alcohol!

One drink an hour keeps you under the limit of 80 mg/100 ml (or 0.08%)

False

• For this to be true, you’d need to metabolize alcohol faster than the average person. A bottle of 5% beer, a glass of wine or a shot of spirits will produce a blood-alcohol level of about 25 mg/100 ml for a man and about 35 mg/100 ml for a woman. Most people can metabolize about 15 mg/100 ml of alcohol per hour.³ Also, your blood alcohol will continue to increase after your last drink, reaching its peak about an hour later.

There’s nothing you can do to sober up faster

True

• You’ve heard all the tricks—take a cold shower, drink strong coffee, have an energy drink, run or dance around—but in reality, there’s nothing you can do to speed up how fast your body metabolizes alcohol.
• Also, eating food doesn’t help your body digest alcohol more quickly. In fact, food just slows down the absorption of alcohol in your system.

The 0.08% alcohol limit doesn’t cover everything

True

• Even if your blood-alcohol level is below 80 mg/100 ml (or 0.08%), your driving could still be impaired, especially if you’re tired, stressed, sick, or taking prescription medication.
• The police can still arrest drivers with a blood-alcohol level below the legal limit if they show obvious signs of being impaired. Roadside coordination tests have proven to be a good indicator of impairment.

Think prevention

To avoid the risks of drinking and driving, it’s a great idea to have a designated driver if you’re planning a party or an evening out with friends.

What can parents do?

• Make sure your children understand the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You can also help them avoid the risks by offering to pick them up after an evening out.
• Make sure your children have money to take a taxi home.
• Remind your children never to get into a car if the driver has been drinking or taking drugs.

What can hosts do?

• At the risk of looking like a party-pooper, ask your guests if they have a designated driver. If you think one of your guests isn’t fit to drive home, offer to pay for a taxi or ask them to spend the night.
• Make sure you also offer food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Want to find out more? Visit the Drug-Impaired Driving Learning Centre