Make safe driving part of your holiday plans
With the holiday season in full swing, Alberta’s government is reminding residents to plan ahead and never get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or cannabis.
Each December, Alberta roads see increased traffic as people travel to visit family and attend celebrations. The province says the risk of collisions rises when drivers fail to make safe plans, particularly when alcohol or cannabis is involved.
Over the past five years, more than 3,000 Alberta drivers have been convicted of impaired driving each year. In 2023, one in 14 drivers involved in a fatal crash was legally impaired, underscoring the potentially deadly consequences.
“Tragedies on our roads are preventable,” the government said in a statement. “They often begin with a single reckless mistake: not having a plan to get home safely.”
Alberta enforces some of Canada’s strictest impaired driving laws. Penalties include large fines, vehicle suspensions of up to 30 days, and mandatory ignition interlock devices for at least one year. Police can also lay Criminal Code charges that may result in additional court-imposed penalties, including jail time.
The province offers several tips to prevent impaired driving:
Arrange a designated driver who remains sober throughout the evening.
Use a taxi or rideshare service if alcohol or cannabis is consumed.
Consider staying overnight rather than driving.
Plan ahead and make the choice to never drive impaired.
For hosts, responsible practices include asking guests to leave their keys at the door, serving drinks instead of letting guests help themselves, and providing non-alcoholic options throughout the evening.
Impairment can result not only from alcohol or drugs, but also fatigue, distraction, or a combination of factors. Cannabis use significantly contributes to impaired driving, and research shows collision risk begins at very low levels. Combining alcohol and cannabis increases the risk exponentially.
In 2023, impaired driving caused 29 deaths and 214 major injuries in Alberta.