August is impaired driving month
Driving impaired, whether by alcohol, drugs, fatigue or distraction, imposes enormous costs on our society. Families, the health care system, the legal system, insurance companies and the general public all pay the price for impaired drivers. If you drive impaired, your luck will run out – you will get caught. Even worse, you may be involved in a severe collision that harms someone you love. Facts to Know • Choosing to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol can get you a criminal record and will cost you: your freedom, your dignity; your job; your chance of future employment and even your life.
• If the police determine your ability to operate a vehicle has been impaired by alcohol or drugs, even if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is below .08, you can be charged with impaired driving.
• Refusing to provide a breath sample will result in a criminal charge and an immediate suspension in the same manner as other Criminal Code (Canada) charges (over .08).
• Police may disqualify you from driving for 24 hours if they believe your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is affected by drugs, alcohol, medical condition or physical ability. Police may also seize your vehicle for 24 hours.
• Designated drivers should not consume any alcohol or use any drugs.
• On average over the past five years, approximately 8,600 people were convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year.
• According to statistics, males between 18 and 21 years of age are most likely to have been drinking before the crash. Also, male drivers are much more likely to have consumed alcohol prior to a collision compared to female drivers.
• On average in Alberta, one in five drivers involved in fatal collisions have been drinking prior to the collision. This compares to an average of about one in 20 drivers involved in injury collisions. As the severity of the collision increases, so does the likelihood the collision will involve a drinking driver.
• The highest numbers of casualty collisions involving alcohol occur during warmer weather months (May to October).
• The most casualty collisions involving alcohol occur on the weekends. The most likely time period for these collisions, on any day of the week, is between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
• Drinking and driving collisions are often associated with long weekends.
• It is estimated that about 20 per cent of fatal collisions in Canada involve driver fatigue.
• Research indicates that driver distraction contributes to 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions.
How many people are killed or injured in collisions involving drinking drivers?
From 2009 to 2013, on average each year almost 90 people were killed and 1,330 people were injured in collisions involving at least one driver who had consumed alcohol prior to the crash. Specifically, in 2013, 80 people were killed and 1,133 were injured.
How big of an issue is drug impaired driving?
A recent Canadian study of alcohol and drug use among drivers found that drug use in nighttime drivers exceeded that of alcohol use.
How many drinks does it take to be impaired?
Impairment begins with the first drink. The effects of alcoholic drinks vary greatly because the rate of absorption and Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) vary from person to person due to factors such as weight, amount of fat tissue and stomach contents. For more information, visit transportation.alberta.ca/4961.htm. What happens if you refuse to comply with a lawful demand made by a Peace Officer?
Refusing to comply with a lawful demand can result in a charge under section 254 of the Criminal Code. A lawful demand includes: a demand for a breath sample, both at the roadside and for a breathalyzer test; a demand for a blood sample; a demand for physical coordination tests; and a demand for a drug evaluation.
How long are repeat offences monitored?
Alcohol related offences are monitored for 10 years. Tougher sanctions are in place for repeat offences during this time.
Can medication impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle?
Talk to your pharmacist about possible side effects of any prescription or over-the-counter medication you may take.
What can I do to minimize distractions that may arise while driving?
• Use a cellphone only if the vehicle is parked in a safe place. If the phone rings while driving, have a passenger take the call or let it go to voice mail. • Take a rest stop to eat or drink. • Avoid emotionally charged conversations with passengers as they may lead to erratic driving behaviour.
• Never take notes or use a laptop while driving. Legally park in a safe place before writing things down.
• Be prepared for the unexpected actions of other motorists or poor driving conditions.
•If you need to attend to a child, find a safe spot to park the vehicle before doing so.
• Avoid programming electronic devices like mp3 players and GPS units while driving. What can I do to manage fatigue? Drivers can consider doing the following to manage their fatigue:
• Sleep well prior to long road trips.
• Share the driving with fellow passengers.
• Take regular rest stops every couple of hours and do some exercise.
• When stopped, eat light meals or fruit. • Drink plenty of water. • If one feels tired during the trip, stopping to nap for 20 – 40 minutes is an effective way of reducing sleepiness.