MADD Canada says impaired numbers have increased for the first time since 2011
Jaymie-Lyne Hancock lost her brother DJ seven years ago in a crash involving a drunk driver.
“We still struggle, we still miss him," Hancock said Thursday. "You know family functions or big life events, they're not the same. There’s always a void.”
Hancock, MADD Canada's president for more than a year now, said she's extremely disappointed by the findings in the latest MADD Canada report.
It found an average of 10 impaired driving criminal charges and short-term provincial licence suspensions were laid every hour in Canada in 2019.
The report shows that in 2019 a total of 86,964 total charges and short-term suspensions were laid. And 232 charges and short-term suspensions were laid for every 100,000 Canadians. Overall, an average of 238 charges and short-term suspensions were laid daily.
Hancock said the number of impaired drivers charged or suspended was very high in 2019, before the pandemic, because more officers were demanding breath samples.
“What that’s telling us is that mandatory alcohol screening was effective when it was being used right," she said.
"We were laying those charges because we were catching more impaired drivers, and that should send the message right there. You know the police are out there, they can demand breath without any reason to suspect you're impaired if they pull you over.”
Sudbury police Sgt. Blair Ramsay said he can’t speak for other services, but in Sudbury, officers in the traffic management unit commonly demand breath when they see high-risk driving behaviour but no suspicion of alcohol.
Ramsay said local numbers continue to be high.
“It’s not surprising, unfortunately, for me statically," he said. "Just in Sudbury alone, just this year, so in 2021, we were almost one a day.”
A key finding in the report was the increase in the rate of alcohol-related charges and short-term suspensions, which had been on the decline for several years. That rate actually increased from 75,393 in 2018 to 77,645 in 2019. It is the first increase in alcohol-related charges and short-term suspensions since 2011.
Both Hancock and Ramsay want to remind the community that there is always a better option than to drive impaired.
“If you consume any alcohol or drugs just don’t drive. Bottom line," said Ramsey.
"There’s so many options out there now to be able to reach out to friends, family, public transit you know we have Uride now we have taxi services, there’s so much out there -- you know, even the old school walking."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.