National Impaired Driving Prevention Week

National Impaired Driving Prevention Week is designated as the third week of March each year. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of educating Canadians about the consequences of impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue or distraction which destroys the lives and health of thousands of Canadians.

Remember, impaired driving doesn't just apply to cars – it also applies to motorcycles, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles and other forms of transportation. Everyone has a role to play to help keep Canada's roads, trails and waterways safe.

Impaired driving, whether by alcohol or drugs, continues to kill or injure more Canadians than any other crime. It also remains the single most important factor contributing to serious road crashes. Recent statistics show that the number of police reported drug-impaired driving (DID) incidents have increased by 43% from 2019 to 2020.

Alcohol, drugs, cannabis, over-the-counter and/or prescription medications can all impact your judgement, coordination, and reaction time behind the wheel.

To learn more:

• Impaired Driving
• Driving while impaired by a drug
• Traffic Injury Research Foundation: Road Safety Monitor 2019: Trends in Marijuana use among Canadian Drivers

Crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs are a leading criminal cause of death in Canada.

It's important to know that just one alcoholic drink can reduce your reaction time, blur or double your vision, impair your reflexes, and alter your attention span.

For more information:

• Youth Impaired Driving
• MADD Canada Alcohol and/or Drugs Among Crash Victims
• Traffic Injury Research Foundation: Road Safety Monitor 2019: Drinking & Driving Attitudes and Practices in Canada

Fatigued driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue.

At 100 km/h, a driver can travel 150 metres in only six seconds. This means that a driver's eyes need to be closed for only three or four seconds before they could face disastrous consequences.

Get informed:

• What you can do to reduce fatigued driving
• Traffic Injury Research Foundation: The issues – fatigue (English only)

Driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million motor vehicle crashes in North America each year. It is estimated that drivers look at, but fail to see, up to 50% of the information in their driving environment when using their phones.

Abstain from using your phone to text or dial while driving or at a red light, or face serious consequences.

Find out more:

• Transport Canada – Distracted driving
• RCMP – Distracted driving
• CAA – Distracted driving