Holiday Season is Starting - Tips to Avoid Impaired Driving

November 21, 2018, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

As we head into the holiday season, we are tempted with more opportunities to drink or smoke in ‘special’ social settings than we would be at other times. Holiday parties have a cache of extravagance and indulgence and alcohol is certainly flowing freely at many events. With the legalization of marijuana, we’ll be seeing it used more in social settings as well.

With this comes the issue of driving while impaired. Police will once again be running RIDE stops in major cities and at key intersections in rural areas in attempt to discourage impaired driving and to catch people before they have an accident. They also request that if you see someone who is impaired get behind the wheel of a car to call 911 and report the driver. If you are out driving and you suspect that a driver is impaired, they request you call 911 immediately. Calling 911 while driving is permitted under the law, however to be safe you may want ot pull over or have your passenger call for you.

The vast majority of impaired drivers are caught after public reports of erratic driving.

Given the recent reports of many drivers travelling the wrong way on the highways, and the vast construction that is still ongoing, the roads are already dangerous. Police have indicated that they think the poor construction signage in many places has contributed to wrong way drivers on the road this year. Once we add on the early darkness of winter, the poor visibility during rain and snow and fog, and a couple of drinks, we have the recipe for disaster on the road.

If you are convicted of impaired driving, you will face the following penalties:

• A fine of $1000.00
• 30 days in jail instead of 14 days on a second offence
• 120 days in jail instead of 90 days on a third offence

There are other consequences as well:

• The installation of the Ignition Interlock Device for between 9 months and a lifetime, depending on the number and dates of prior convictions
• Mandatory “Back on Track” assessment and/or Educational or Treatment Programs
• Massive insurance increases
• A criminal record that can limit your employment prospects
• A criminal record that can impact your ability to travel internationally
• Your car could be seized and sold by the police
• A criminal record can also have immigration-citizenship consequences

So what can you do? It’s simple don’t drink or consume marijuana and drive. Make a plan:

• Don’t drive to the party – take transit, a cab, Uber, or ask a friend to drop you off and pick you up
• If you do drive and find you’re impaired DO NOT get behind the wheel of your car. Call a one-way car service, call a friend or family member, spend the night or take transit home.
• Limit your consumption
• Have a designated driver and make the decision about who is driving BEFORE you start drinking
• Remember that it’s ok and socially acceptable to say you don’t want to drink or smoke. Enjoy other non-alcoholic options

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.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.