Drinking and Driving • Back to Main Page What can it cost you and others? Driving while under the influence of alcohol is the single largest criminal cause of death in Canada. There are approximately 1,500 fatalities resulting from impaired driving every year in Canada. The death rate from impaired driving is three times the national murder rate. Drinking and driving puts everyone on the road, including you, at risk for death and injury. A first time impaired driving offence is punishable in Canada by a loss of license for one year plus a fine. For the second offence, the driver can lose their license for up to three years in addition to a fine and possible jail time. Subsequent offences could mean lifetime license suspension, fines and jail time. If the impaired driver is found guilty of causing bodily harm or death, they can be punished by sentences of ten or more years in jail. Ignition Interlock On top of license suspensions, fines, jail time, and educational workshops, impaired drivers will now have to participate in Ontario's Ignition Interlock Program. Once convicted of impaired driving and after you have fulfilled the license suspension period, drivers that want to start driving right a way will need to install an ignition interlock system in their vehicle for a minimum of one year and at their own expense. This system works by requiring a breath sample from the driver before allowing them to start his or her car. If the machine detects that the driver's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is over the pre-set limit of 0.02, the car will not start. Once driving, he or she will need to provide random breath samples at periodic times. If these samples are not provided, the system will issue a warning, record the event and activate a specific alarm system (e.g. lights flashing, horn honking etc.) until the car is turned off (MTO). Everyone who drives such a vehicle will need to participate in the program, including family and friends. If caught driving without the device such drivers are subject to more fines and extended driving restrictions. More information: www.mto.gov.on.ca Prevention is Key You have the power to minimize your risk. Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or other substances and never be a passenger in a car with a driver who has been drinking or is impaired from another substance such as cannabis (pot). Your life is too important to take these risks. Here are some alternative ideas to driving impaired or to letting someone who is impaired drive you anywhere: Choose a reliable designated driver who you can trust not to drink or do drugs. If you choose to drink and have no designated driver to take you home: Call a family member or friend to pick you up Take a bus Take a taxi Walk Spend the night Getting into a vehicle with an impaired driver, or getting behind the wheel after you have been drinking are not safe options! There are always safer alternatives that will reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others - make sure you choose them! References: Play it Smart - Health Canada (pamphlet) "But Everyone Knows …" Myths about Drinking and Driving - ARF (booklet) MADD Canada website - www.madd.ca To the top