Sober drivers equal safer roads!

During the holidays – or any time of year, don’t drink and drive.

It’s the time of year to celebrate, whether it’s an office party, getting together with friends, or spending time with family. Regardless of what holiday you’re celebrating, or who you’re sharing it with, remember to party responsibly and don’t drink and drive. In Ottawa, from 2019 to 2023, at least 62 impaired drivers were involved in a collision that was either fatal or resulted in a major injury. 

 

What is impaired driving 

In the Province of Ontario, Impaired driving means operating a vehicle while your ability to do so has been compromised to any degree by consuming: 

• Alcohol 
• Drugs including: 
  • Cannabis 
  • Over-the-counter drugs 
  • Prescription medication 
  • Illegal substances 
• A combination of the above 

 

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 

You can be stopped by a police officer at any time and asked to provide a mandatory breathalyzer sample (or be screened for drugs).  

If your BAC is .05 or above, you will receive: 

• 3-day immediate licence suspension 
• $250 penalty 

This is for a first-time offence. The consequences become more severe with each subsequent offence.  

If your BAC is .08 or above, you will receive: 

• An immediate roadside 90-day suspension 
• 7-day vehicle impoundment 
• $550 penalty 

This too is for a first-time offence. The consequences become more severe with each subsequent offence. 

For young and novice drivers, there is zero-tolerance, and penalties apply if there are any drugs or alcohol detected.  

 

It’s a life  

Receiving a fine or even a short licence suspension is one thing but seriously injuring or killing someone is another.   

• Data confirms the danger. Between 2019 and 2023, there were 62 fatal or major injury collisions in Ottawa related to impaired driving. Those are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, partners or friends whose lives were forever changed or lost.  

 

The safe alternatives 

If you plan to consume drugs or alcohol:  

• Plan a safe way home first  
• Have a designated driver who is not consuming  
• Call a taxi or ride-sharing service  
• Take public transit  
• Walk, if the distance permits (and wear bright clothing after dark) 

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 Ottawa and Area.   

 

The server’s responsibility 

• You can help by being a good friend. Inform the host, if a friend was drinking in a home, or the bartender or server if it’s a bar or restaurant. 
• In both cases, those who served the alcohol may be liable for damages or injuries caused by a subsequent collision. 
• Or if you haven’t been consuming, you can offer a ride or suggest alternatives. 

 

What to do if you suspect impaired driving 

The Ottawa Police Service encourages you to report suspected impaired driving. It’s how you can help make Ottawa roads safer. If it’s an emergency and needs an immediate police response, call 9-1-1. You will need to provide as much of the following information as possible: 

• Incident: date, time, location, direction of travel. 
• Driver Information: driver description (male/female, age, hair, etc). 
• Vehicle Information: licence Plate (number, province), vehicle (year, make, model, colour, car/truck/bicycle/ any other features (trailer hitch, modified parts, etc). 
• Details of the incident 
• Your information: name, address, phone (home, business, mobile), date of birth. 

You can prevent future impaired driving by setting a good example for the younger ones, even if they don’t yet drive. For non-emergency situations, you can call the police or report the incident online.  

 

The City of Ottawa continues to make improvements to the safety of our roads and pathways with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The City’s 2020-2024 Road Safety Action Plan guides these engineering, education and enforcement initiatives. But even the safest transportation network requires that everyone follows the rules of the road for their mode of transportation.  

 

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