Impaired Driving

• The Facts
   
• That Was An Expensive Drink! (penalties and fines)
   
• What Your Community is Doing
   
• You Can Help Stop Impaired Driving
   
• Jacqueline’s Story (see the devastating effects an impaired driving crash had on a 20 year old woman)
   
• Impaired driving crash simulation

The Facts:

Impaired driving contributes significantly to injury and loss of life.  It is a leading criminal cause of death in Canada.  Over 34% of motor vehicle fatalities involve alcohol.  Direct and indirect costs of alcohol-related crashes in Canada are estimated to be $7.52 billion annually. 

The operation of any motorized vehicle in Canada legally requires the driver have a blood alcohol concentration under the legal limit of .08 %.  Results of a MADD Canada survey showed that 78% of Canadians personally have known someone who has driven a vehicle when they thought they were over the legal limit and 4 out of 10 Canadians acknowledge that they have driven a vehicle when they believe that they were legally impaired.

Unfortunately, in Grey and Bruce Counties the rate of impaired driving, and the rate of impaired driving crashes, is higher than the provincial average.
 

That Was An Expensive Drink! (penalties and fines)

Impaired driving can not only have deadly effects and cause suffering of individuals and their families, but perhaps not so well-known is the actual cost to an impaired driver who is convicted for even a first offense.  The following information, taken from the Ministry of Transportation’s “Break The Law Pay The Price” brochure (2003), itemizes the costs involved in an impaired driving conviction:

ACTUAL COSTS MAY BE HIGHER
*Other potential costs include property damage, loss of employment income and insured and uninsured medical costs.

Ontario leads the way in combating drinking and driving through some of the toughest laws and programs in North America, including:

• Immediate license suspension
   
• Stiff fines
   
• Longer suspension periods
   
• Mandatory alcohol education and treatment program
   
• Vehicle impoundment
   
• Ignition Interlock program

(taken from MTO “Break The Law Pay The Price” brochure, 2003)
 

Back to Top
 

What Your Community is Doing:

In Grey and Bruce Counties, many groups are working to stop impaired driving. 

• Local police organize RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs, aimed at checking drivers on the roads for signs of impairment, and partner with other agencies to deliver impaired driving prevention programs,
   
• Organizations such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) are active and partner with police and other agencies to deliver impaired driving prevention programs, and
   
• Some high schools have active OSAID (Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving) groups. 
   
• The Substance Abuse Action Committee has developed a fun activity that sends a message about impaired driving.   It is called the Obstacle Course Challenge (OCC).  This activity involves people riding adult-sized tricycles through an obstacle course while wearing ‘Fatal Vision’ goggles.  The materials for this activity are available to be borrowed free of charge.  The OCC can be used in schools, community events, such as fall fairs, etc.  Book it today!
   

Back to Top
 

You can help stop impaired driving!!

Participate in Operation Lookout!

Besides pledging not to drink and drive, community members can all take a part in helping to eliminate impaired driving from our roads, waterways and trails by participating in Operation Lookout. 

Police from all 9 detachments in Grey/Bruce, Public Health, MADD-Grey North Bruce, Focus and MTO (Ministry of Transportation of Ontario) are sponsors of this program.  The public is encouraged to phone 911 to report a suspected impaired driver, boater or snowmobiler to police.  This can be done anonymously and can increase the chances that the driver will be caught and a life saved.  All calls can remain anonymous.

Book the Obstacle Course Challenge for your next school or community event!

The Obstacle Course Challenge is a unique way to deliver an important message…drinking & driving don’t mix!  Participants are challenged to navigate an obstacle course while wearing the “Fatal Vision” goggles that simulate impairment.  Borrowing the materials for this event is free!

Help your local MADD chapter!

Your local MADD chapter is working hard to stop impaired driving and support the victims of this violent crime.  Contact MADD Canada to see where a meeting is being held in your area.  New members are always welcome.  Your involvement can be as little or as much as you can accommodate.  Everything from help in distributing red ribbon boxes and attendance at local fundraiser events, to becoming a member of the Board is appreciated.  No experience is necessary and MADD offers all of its members free, all-expenses paid opportunities for training and education around the issue of impaired driving and roles and responsibilities of MADD.  Call today at 519-371-5252 or 1-800-665-6233 or visit the website below.
 

Helpful Links:

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

OSAID (Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving)

OCCID (Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving)

Back to Top