It’s the law: The amount you’ve consumed is irrelevant if you exhibit signs of impairment – it’s a criminal offense. If police determine that you have drugs or alcohol in your system and/or that you are impaired by any substance, you can face severe consequences and potential criminal charges.
It’s a life: Receiving a fine or even a short license suspension is one thing, but seriously injuring or killing someone is another. Data confirms the danger. Between 2017-2021, there were 25 fatal or major injury collisions in Ottawa related to impaired driving. Those are 25 mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, partners or friends whose lives were forever changed or lost.
The safe alternatives: We all know suitable alternatives to impaired driving, but here is a reminder:
- Have a designated driver who is not consuming
- Call a taxi or ride-sharing service
- Take public transit: Free transit service will be provided on New Year’s Eve after 6 pm on buses, O-Train Line 1 and Para Transpo, courtesy of Safer Roads Ottawa and MADD.
- Walk, if the distance permits (and wear bright clothing after dark)
- Spend the night somewhere close
This holiday season, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will be conducting RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs and is reminding drivers to celebrate responsibly and keep our roads safe.
The OPS’ municipal and policing partners, like the RCMP, OPP, MADD Ottawa and the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association, will also be involved in the RIDE campaign.
During the program, RIDE checkpoints will be present at various times throughout the city.
OPS and partners continue to work hard to address impaired driving, even more so during the festive season. Year to date, they have seen:
- 796 drivers charged (impaired-related)
- 229 collisions
- In 2023, as of early November, there were 7 fatal collisions where alcohol or drugs were determined to be a factor (of the 229 collisions).
If you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, plan a safe ride home, like a designated driver, a taxi, rideshare, or public transit.
As a reminder, since 2018, officers can demand that a driver provide a sample of their breath into an approved screening device without first suspecting that the driver had been drinking.
Let’s all do our part to keep our roads and community safe this holiday season.
If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.