The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will enhance its impaired driving enforcement efforts after noting a 31 per cent increase in impaired driving-related collisions in 2023.
A total of 385 people were killed in impaired driving-related collisions on OPP-patrolled roads between 2018 and the end of 2023, states a news release issued by OPP.
Impaired driving charges are also up 33 per cent over the same six-year period.
"Under Canada's Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) law, drivers must comply with a police officer's demand for a breath sample, even in the absence of any suspicion that they have consumed alcohol," the release says.
"The increases are a clear sign that many drivers are not doing their part to keep fellow road users safe," police said.
The OPP conduct RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) initiatives throughout the year. Drivers should also be prepared to provide a breath sample in these situations.
If you suspect that a driver is impaired, call 911, police said.
