Impaired driving

Impaired driving has been on the decline for more than 20 years in Canada. Since its peak in 1981, the rate of people charged with impaired driving had dropped 64% by 2002. After a small increase (4%) in 2001, the 2002 rate of 260 per 100,000 population resumed its earlier trend by decreasing 3%.

©2003 ICN-RCI / Hemera

In 2000, Parliament passed legislation increasing the maximum penalties to imprisonment for life for people convicted of impaired driving causing death. It appears that the combination of policing initiatives, harsher penalties, new driver licensing programs, community efforts and growing public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving have successfully and substantially reduced the number of drinking and driving incidents across Canada. It nevertheless remains a concern for many Canadians and an ongoing priority for government and the justice system.