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Impaired Driving

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Impaired driving is one of the most common factors contributing to serious motor vehicle crashes in Canada. From 2000 to 2014, over 12,000 people are estimated to have died in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Drug-impaired driving is also a concern. According to a cannabis use and driving report, from 2000 to 2010, 16.6% of fatally injured drivers in Canada tested positive for cannabis. To help address impaired driving, CCSA conducts research, develops tools and resources, and produces materials to support evidence-based decisions and public policy.

Publication Hub Sections

Most Recent Publications on Impaired Driving

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Impaired Driving in Canada
Policy Brief

Impaired Driving in Canada

September 23, 2024

Presents an overview of Canada’s impaired driving laws and data on the extent of both alcohol- and drug-impaired driving in Canada. The policy brief looks at the Criminal...

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Administrative Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers
Policy Brief

Administrative Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers

September 20, 2024

Provides an overview of administrative sanctions for alcohol and drug use by drivers. It...

What is Impaired Driving?

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Impaired driving is operating any motorized vehicle (including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, airplanes, trains, jet skis and snowmobiles) while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both. It is an offence under the Criminal Code in Canada and is an issue of public health and safety.

Preventing and Reducing Impaired Driving

Individuals can avoid impaired driving by using another form of transportation, such as public transit, a designated driver, ride sharing or a taxi, or by planning to spend the night. Individuals should also avoid riding with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Featured Resource

Measuring the Impact of Drug-Impaired Driving: Recommendations for National Indicators

Recommends 34 indicators for enhancing and standardizing the collection of drug-impaired driving data across Canada to help reduce injuries and fatalities.

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Hand on a steering wheel.
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Guidance, Tools and Resources

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CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the six categories below: 

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Substances

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Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics. Learn about their effects, usage patterns, associated health and social consequences, and harm reduction considerations

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Personal and Societal Impacts

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Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being. Learn about effective prevention and harm-reduction strategies in various sectors.

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Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction. Dive into resources highlighting people with lived and living experience, stigma, sex- and gender-based analysis, Indigenous Peoples, and housing. 

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Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders. Get the facts on public health topics and learn about collaborative efforts to reduce stigma and promote more equitable, inclusive responses to substance use.

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Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth. Content promotes early prevention, harm reduction and supportive environments for youth up to age 25.

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Substance Use and the Workplace

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Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries. Resources support workplace leaders in building more supportive, stigma-free environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and initiative-taking education.

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