Alcohol Impaired Driving

The effects of alcohol on drivers are delays in identifying and responding to danger. Alcohol also increases drowsiness and the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel.

Prevalence:

In 2021, according to investigating police officers, 18% of fatal collisions involved a driver who was impaired or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, a decrease of 31% from the 26% figure reported in 2017. [1] Coroner data from National Fatality Database maintained by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation indicate that the percentage of fatally injured drivers who had been drinking decreased from 34% in 2011 to 32% in 2020, a decrease of 6%. [2] Night-time roadside surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 in five Canadian jurisdictions (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, and Northwest Territories) found that 4% of drivers tested positive for alcohol.[3] A 2018 survey in British Columbia estimated that 5% of drivers had been drinking compared to 6.5% in 2012, a reduction of 25%.[4] In an Ontario roadside survey, the percentage of drivers who were reported to have been drinking was about the same in 2014 and in 2017 at 4%.[5] A 2022 Road Safety Monitor poll revealed that 11% of respondents admitted they had driven when they thought they were over the legal alcohol limit (80mg alcohol/1000ml blood) in the past 12 months. This was an increase of 8% from 10% in a similar 2021 survey.[6] Additionally, when exploring with whom drivers did most of their drinking, over one-third of drivers (39%) reported they most often drank with close friends, a significant increase from 28% in 2020.

Night-time roadside surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 in five Canadian jurisdictions (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, and Northwest Territories) found that 4% of drivers tested positive for alcohol.[3] A 2018 survey in British Columbia estimated that 5% of drivers had been drinking compared to 6.5% in 2012, a reduction of 25%.[4] In an Ontario roadside survey, the percentage of drivers who were reported to have been drinking was about the same in 2014 and in 2017 at 4%.[5]

A 2022 Road Safety Monitor poll revealed that 11% of respondents admitted they had driven when they thought they were over the legal alcohol limit (80mg alcohol/1000ml blood) in the past 12 months. This was an increase of 8% from 10% in a similar 2021 survey.[6] Additionally, when exploring with whom drivers did most of their drinking, over one-third of drivers (39%) reported they most often drank with close friends, a significant increase from 28% in 2020.

Countermeasures:

Sections of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) make driving impaired by alcohol, as determined by the police based on impaired behaviour or a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 80 mg of alcohol in 1000 ml of blood or over, a criminal offence. Conviction for such an offence can result in heavy fines, licence suspension, and even jail. Convicted drivers can reduce the length of their licence suspension if they agree to have their vehicle fitted with an alcohol ignition interlock device which prevents the vehicle from being started if a mandatory breath sample indicates the driver had been drinking. Furthermore, most provinces/territories require that drivers convicted of impaired driving participate in alcohol/drug assessment and treatment/education programs prior to getting their licence back.

In addition to the CCC, most Canadian jurisdictions have administrative offences such that driving with a BAC over 50 mg of alcohol in 1000 ml of blood (60 mg in Saskatchewan) can result in short-term licence suspensions (e.g., three days), vehicle impoundment, and licence reinstatement fees.

Police Services across the country conduct regular alcohol impaired driving enforcement campaigns and as of 2018 can demand a breath test from a driver at the roadside without suspecting that a crime has taken place. Awareness campaigns on alcohol-impaired driving are regularly carried out by governmental and non-governmental organizations. For example:

Photo Credit: Low Cost Interlock
(https://www.lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-information/how-to-prevent-your-teen-from-driving-drunk/)

Alcohol Impaired Driving FAQs:

What percentage of drivers killed in vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol?
Coroner data from National Fatality Database maintained by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation indicate that the percentage of fatally injured drivers who had been drinking decreased from 34% in 2011 to 32% in 2020, a decrease of 6%
What is the prevalence of drinking and driving in Canada?
According to roadside surveys conducted in five Canadian jurisdictions (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, and Northwest Territories) in 2017 and 2018, 4% of drivers tested positive for alcohol between the hours of 9:00 pm and 3:00 am.
Is driving or being in control of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol a crime in Canada?
Yes. According to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) drivers who are impaired by alcohol, as determined by the police based on the driver’s behaviour or breath tests showing a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 80 mg of alcohol in 1000 ml of blood or over, will receive heavy fines, license suspensions, and possible jail terms. As of 2018, the CCC makes roadside breath testing by police mandatory.
What laws exist in provinces and territories regarding driving while impaired by alcohol?
Most Canadian jurisdictions have administrative offences such that driving with a BAC over 50 mg of alcohol in 1000 ml of blood (60 mg in Saskatchewan) can result in short-term license suspensions (e.g., 3 days), vehicle impoundment, and license reinstatement fees.

References

  1. Transport Canada (2023) Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions Statistics: 2021.[]
  2. Robertson, R. and Brown, S. 2023, Using Cannabis-Impaired Driving Research to Inform Policy, Webinar presented to CARSP). []
  3. Beirness, D. J. (2020). A Compilation of Jurisdictional Roadside Surveys Conducted Prior to Cannabis Legalization. Report prepared for Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.[][]
  4. Beirness, D. J. and Beasley, E.E. (2019) Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers in British Columbia: Findings from the 2018 Roadside Survey, Beirness Associates, Inc.[][]
  5. Beirness, D. J. (2018) Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers in Ontario: Findings from the 2017 Roadside Survey, Beirness & Associates[][]
  6. Vanlaar, Ward G.M Lyon, Craig, Simmons, Sarah, Robertson, Robyn D. Road Safety Monitor 2022 Drinking & Driving in Canada. December, 2022[][]