Fatalities down, impaired driving up

Last year saw fewer fatalities on Island roads, but the number of impaired driving convictions ended a four-year pattern of decrease.

In 2016 there were 249 impaired driving convictions, including 47 impaired drivers convicted for the second time and 37 convicted for a third time or greater.

Impaired driving convictions for the previous four years were: 239 in 2015, 241 in 2014, 297 in 2013, and 327 in 2012. There were also 13 reported fatalities in the province – including the deaths of three motorcyclists – compared to 18 in 2015. In total, there were 1,341 collisions in the province and 364 of those caused injuries. “Government is committed to making Island roadways as safe as possible by taking a comprehensive approach that considers all contributing factors,” said Paula Biggar, Transportation minister.

“While it is encouraging that fatalities were reduced last year, it remains our top priority to use education, enforcement, highway design and legislation to continue to improve safety for all users of our province’s transportation network.”

She added, “It is discouraging to see that so many people return to impaired driving, even after facing the consequences of being convicted. These repeated impaired drivers are stubbornly returning to behaviour that endangers everyone on our roads, including themselves.”