For decades, the message in Driving in Canada was clear: “Don’t drink and drive.” It was a social taboo, backed by aggressive public awareness campaigns and strict legal consequences. However, something shifted in 2025.
According to the latest 2025 Road Safety Monitor from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), impaired driving is experiencing a troubling resurgence across the country. Even more shocking than the data itself is a growing sense of complacency among the public. Despite an increase in alcohol-related fatalities and a sharp rise in drugged driving arrests, fewer Canadians view impaired driving as an “extremely serious” problem than at any point in the last twenty years.
We are at a dangerous crossroads where the actual risk on our roads is climbing, yet our collective guard is down. This long-term look at the state of Canadian roads explores the statistics, the shift in public perception, and what this means for your safety.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Impaired Driving in Canada in 2025
The data released at the end of 2025 paints a stark picture of a reversal in road safety progress. After years of steady declines, several key indicators are moving in the wrong direction.
A Sharp Uptick in Self-Reported Behavior
In 2025, approximately 9.2% of Canadian drivers admitted to driving when they believed they were over the legal limit. This is a massive jump from the 5.9% reported in 2024—representing a 56% increase in just one year.
Rising Fatalities
It’s not just about close calls; the consequences are proving fatal. Recent data from the National Fatality Database shows a 14% rise in deaths involving a drinking driver, with annual fatalities climbing back over the 500 mark.
The Surge of Drugged Driving
While alcohol remains the primary concern, drug-impaired driving is the “new front” in the battle for road safety. In regions like Greater Sudbury, police reported that drug-related impairments jumped by 58% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This includes impairment from cannabis, opioids, and amphetamines.
Why Is Public Concern Declining?
The most baffling part of the 2025 data is the “Concern Gap.” In 2025, only 71.8% of Canadians considered drinking and driving an extremely serious problem. While that might still sound high, it is the lowest level of concern recorded in two decades.
The “Legalization Complacency” Effect
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, there has been a subtle shift in how Canadians perceive impairment. Many drivers erroneously believe that “driving high” is safer than driving drunk. In reality, cannabis significantly slows reaction times and impairs the ability to handle unexpected events on the road.
Post-Pandemic Social Shifts
Drinking patterns have changed significantly since the pandemic. Data shows a clear return to public drinking at bars and social gatherings. However, the habit of “drinking at home” remains high. This shift has led to more people drinking in varied environments—often with friends or relatives—where social pressure to stay sober can sometimes be lower than in a strictly public setting.
Competing Public Safety Priorities
With rising concerns over the cost of living, housing, and healthcare, road safety has slipped down the list of public priorities. Additionally, local policing resources have been reallocated to tackle other issues, leading to a perceived (and sometimes real) decrease in consistent enforcement like RIDE programs.
Common Misconceptions About Impairment
To address the rise in impaired driving, we must first tackle the myths that many Canadians are beginning to believe.
“I’m a better driver when I’m high.” This is one of the most dangerous myths on Canadian roads. While a “stoned” driver may drive slower, their cognitive processing is delayed, making it nearly impossible to respond to a pedestrian darting into the road or a car slamming on its brakes.
“I only had one or two; I’m fine.” Impairment begins with the very first drink. Alcohol affects your tracking ability and divided-attention tasks long before you feel “drunk.”
“The police can’t prove I’m high.” Incorrect. Canada has over 1,200 trained Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) and over 30,000 officers trained in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). They use oral fluid drug screeners and blood tests to secure convictions.
The Legal and Financial Stakes in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, many provinces are implementing even stricter penalties to combat this trend. If you are caught driving impaired in Canada, the consequences are life-altering:
Beyond the legal system, a criminal record for impaired driving can prevent you from traveling to the United States or holding certain professional licenses.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Community
The rise in impaired driving is a 100% preventable problem. Changing the trend requires both individual responsibility and community action.
Plan Your Way Home Before You Start
The moment you take your first sip or use a substance, your judgment is compromised. Use these alternatives:
Rideshare Apps: Uber and Lyft are available in most major Canadian hubs.
Designated Drivers: If you are in a group, ensure one person is strictly sober.
Public Transit: Many cities offer extended hours during holidays and weekends.
Stay the Night: If you are at a friend’s house, don’t risk the drive.
Speak Up
If you see someone about to drive impaired, intervene. It can be an awkward conversation, but it is better than a lifetime of regret or a visit from the police. If you see a vehicle driving erratically on the highway, call 911. In Canada, impaired driving is considered a dynamic emergency.
Reversing the Trend
The 2025 data serves as a wake-up call for every Canadian. We cannot afford to be complacent while fatalities are on the rise. Impaired driving is not an “accident”—it is a choice that affects the safety of everyone on the road.
As we move through 2026, the goal is clear: we need to restore the social stigma around impaired driving and ensure that road safety remains a top-tier national priority. Let’s make sure that by this time next year, the numbers are heading back down where they belong.
