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Police, Province Urge Safe Choices Ahead of Canada Day Amid Grim Impaired Driving Stats
As Canada Day celebrations approach, Alberta police and government officials are issuing a strong reminder to plan ahead and avoid impaired driving. Every year, alcohol and drugs continue to claim dozens of lives and injure hundreds more on Alberta roads — a toll that public safety leaders say is entirely preventable.
The Province, in partnership with MADD Canada, is urging Albertans to use a designated driver, taxi or rideshare if they plan to consume alcohol, cannabis, or even prescription medication. “Your good decisions keep our roads safe for everyone,” said MADD Canada, reinforcing the importance of celebrating responsibly. Even small amounts of alcohol or cannabis can impair driving ability and dramatically increase collision risk, especially when combined.
Driving while impaired in Alberta carries some of the toughest penalties in the country. Offenders face fines of up to $2,000, immediate 90-day licence suspensions, vehicle seizures for up to 30 days, and escalating suspensions for repeat offenders — up to a lifetime ban. Criminal charges may also apply, particularly in cases involving bodily harm or death.
In 2023, impaired driving remained the leading cause of fatal and injury collisions in Alberta. Twenty-nine people died and 214 were seriously injured in crashes involving impaired drivers. One in 14 drivers involved in a fatal collision was legally impaired at the time.
Meanwhile, MADD Canada recently honoured 68 Alberta police officers with Cpl. Cumming’s Watch awards for their efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road. The program, named after RCMP Cpl. Graeme Cumming who was killed by an impaired driver in 1998, celebrates officers who made 15 or more impaired driving charges in a year. “Their efforts not only help save lives, but they also send a clear message that impaired driving will not be tolerated,” said MADD Canada President Tanya Hansen Pratt.
Alberta’s message heading into the holiday weekend is clear: make a plan before you celebrate. Whether it’s arranging a safe ride, staying overnight, or simply getting enough rest, authorities say these decisions can mean the difference between life and death.
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