What is driving under the influence?

When we hear “driving under the influence,” we often think about having alcohol in our system and being behind the wheel of a car. However, driving under the influence covers many situations.

It is not just alcohol that puts you under the influence and makes you ineligible to drive. Drugged driving—be it illicit drugs, marijuana, prescription drugs, or some over-the-counter drugs—is just as dangerous. And it does not have to be a car that you are driving. It could be a motorcycle, ATV, boat, snowmobile or farm equipment.

The law recognizes the serious risks created by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are significant penalties:

minimum penalties and increasingly severe penalties for subsequent offences
mandatory jail time for any repeat criminal drug or alcohol driving charge
mandatory driving prohibitions – including immediate roadside suspensions
immediate roadside vehicle impoundments
financial costs that can exceed $18,000
possible loss of insurance in the case of a collision

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of impaired driving incidents of all the provinces – a rate almost triple that of the national average.

The Toronto Star Archives, courtesy of Toronto Public Library

Fig. 1.

Sound truck warns against impaired driving, Toronto, 1948.

Public awareness campaigns about the dangers of being impaired predate the motor vehicle, originating with the Temperance movement of the late eighteenth century. However, it was not until the 1960s that large-scale public awareness campaigns about driving while impaired became prevalent.

Activity: Young Drivers Under the Influence

For young and new drivers—including people 21 and under, people in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program, and people with learner’s licences—the law is black and white. It is illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol or taking any drugs. There is zero tolerance.

Do you agree that it is fair to have stricter limits for young people and new drivers? Why or why not?
Studies have shown that driving is a significant mental task for new drivers and even low levels of alcohol or other drugs can produce a noticeable impairment. Does knowing this change your answer to question 1?
Studies have shown that teenagers tend to overrate their driving skills, underrate risks of the road, and have more trouble multitasking. Does knowing this change your answer to question 1?
Statistics have shown that teenage drivers have the highest rate of accidents per mile travelled. Half of all teenage deaths on the road are related to impaired driving. Does knowing this change your answer to question 1?
Studies have shown that stricter laws on young drivers have significantly reduced traffic deaths. Does knowing this change your answer to question 1?