Unfortunately, Canada’s progress now seems to have stalled. 

How can the impaired driving problem be wrestled to the ground? Canada’s federal and provincial/territorial laws are among the strictest in the world. They are generally well-enforced, and conviction rates are high. Public education, transportation alternatives and other countermeasures are ongoing. An effective national strategy is in place, supported by strong commitment at all levels. What is missing? 

Various quick fixes have been suggested. Reduce the criminal BAC to 50 mg% from its current level of 80 mg%. Eliminate conditional sentencing for drunk drivers who kill or injure. Raise the drinking age to 21. Put warning labels on beer, wine and spirits containers. After examining each of these proposals, the Canada Safety Council seriously doubts any of them would work. 

Two small but hard-to-reach groups now account for most of the harm: chronic offenders, many of them alcohol-dependent; and young adults who drive after binge drinking. Simplistic measures that are punitive, condescending or overly restrictive will not change their attitudes and behaviour. 

Strict sentences have not deterred these offenders. An understanding of why they continually choose to drink and drive is needed. The key factors must then be addressed by making effective treatment and remedial programs readily available to them. This will require a monumental shift in mindset for governments and the public — a change in focus from punishment to treatment. 

The Canada Safety Council provided funding contributions for innovative research being done at McGill University and the University of Western Ontario, described in this section of Safety Canada. These innovative studies may open the door to preventive strategies that address the causes and motivations of drinking drivers as well as other problem drivers.

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