Ombudsman’s Statement on National Impaired Driving Prevention Week

During impaired driving prevention week in Canada, we remind Canadians that too many innocent people are injured or killed by impaired driving each day. Crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs are a leading criminal cause of death in Canada. Every day, on average, up to 4 Canadians are killed and many more are injured in alcohol and/or drug-related motor vehicle crashes on public roads. In 2014, road crashes claimed an estimated 2,297 lives and 1,273 (55.4%) of these deaths resulted from crashes in which an individual tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs.

Impaired driving is preventable. Life will never be the same for those who have lost loved ones, or those who have suffered injury. The toll this violent crime takes on Canadian victims and their families is immense. Please drive sober and report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.



Heidi Illingworth
Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime