Canada Ranks Number 1 in Drunk Driving Deaths

July 19, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Sometimes being number 1 is a bad thing. In this case it most certainly is. National Post reported last week that the CDC's latest study has Canada ranking first place for impaired driving deaths. We have 34% of our crash deaths involving alcohol. Israel by contrast had only 3.2%.

Doug Quan, of the National Post, interviewed Andy Murie, CEO of MADD Canada,

“The CDC does the best studies; their information is undebatable,” said Andy Murie, CEO of MADD Canada. “It’s a wake-up call. We need to do more.”.

The good news from the report is that in general fewer people die in car accidents in Canada than in the developed world’s average, and we don’t make the top 10 list for speed related accident deaths. Clearly even with the long standing education and enforcement campaigns against impaired driving the message isn’t getting through to people.

Conservative MP Steven Blaney introduced a private member’s bill this year including a provision for mandatory roadside screening which would then allow for random roadside alcohol testing to occur. Currently Canadians are protected by the charter from random screenings. Bill C-226 would also impose harsher minimum sentences form impaired drivers who cause death. These sentences would be for 5 years.

• If you are heading out for lunch or a casual get together, think about who is driving BEFORE you begin drinking
• Have a plan before you go out to any event involving alcohol of who is drinking and who is driving
• Sometimes it’s easier to not drink alcohol at all than to try to limit yourself to a couple of drinks
• Always wear a seat belt, on every drive, in every seat, and use it properly
• Avoid distraction when behind the wheel
• If you see an impaired driver, or someone you suspect is impaired call 911 immediately and report their car and plates
• If you are hosting a party make sure you have lots of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Don’t hesitate to take a drunk guest’s keys, arrange for a cab, or have them stay over if they are impaired.

image courtesy of CDC.GOV

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.