Drunk driving is a deadly problem during the holiday season
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently launched its 36th annual Red Ribbon Campaign in Toronto in an effort to educate people about the dangers of drunk driving during the holiday season, which remains one of the leading causes of holiday car accidents in Toronto.
“It (impaired driving) still remains a deadly problem,” Toronto Police Acting Staff Supt. Kelly Skinner said in an interview with CTV News. “As of October 23, the Toronto Police Service has received more than 6,000 calls for service for impaired driving which represents a five per cent increase over 2022.”
Crashes involving drunk drivers in Ontario
Even though drivers have been warned about the dangers of impaired driving, collisions caused by drivers under the influence (DUI) remain a problem in Ontario during the holidays and throughout the year.
So far this year, impaired drivers have taken the lives of 39 people in drunk driving-related accidents throughout Ontario, according to Ontario Provincial Police statistics cited by CTV News. In the past five years, 303 people have died in drunk driving accidents throughout Ontario.
What’s being done to prevent drunk driving crashes in Toronto?
MADD’s 36th annual Red Ribbon campaign in Toronto hopes to raise awareness this holiday season about the dangers of drinking and driving. MADD and the Toronto Transit Commission created posters of 11 victims of drunk driving accidents. The posters will be placed on 27 TTC buses in Toronto, according to CTV News.
“This didn’t have to happen. It wasn’t an accident,” said Bob Carreau in an interview with CTV News at a recent event about MADD’s Red Ribbon campaign. Carreau’s son, Robert Jr., is featured in the campaign. The 43-year-old was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in November 2020 while out on a morning run in Muskoka, CTV News reported.
In addition, police in Toronto and throughout Ontario will be out in full force this holiday season enforcing the province’s strict drunk driving laws.
How to avoid drunk driving
Police and organizations like MADD aren’t the only ones who can make a difference when it comes to drunk driving prevention. Each individual driver can do their part this holiday season. Some of the steps you can take to prevent being involved in a drunk driving accident this holiday season include:
- Don’t drink and drive if you do decide to have a few drinks at a holiday party.
- Have a sober designated driver drive you home.
- Take a rideshare service or public transportation home.
- If you see someone who appears to be driving while intoxicated, call the police right away. Your call could prevent a drunk driving accident and save lives as well.
Holding drunk drivers accountable
If you are injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver in Toronto, you might think you don’t need a lawyer to help you recover compensation. Unfortunately, even the most straightforward accident claims can turn into complex legal cases. This is why it’s always best to talk with a Toronto car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your collision.
Our legal team at Smitiuch Injury Law can help you every step of the way. We know what to do because we have years of experience handling complex legal cases. As a result, we’re familiar with the laws and legal system that apply to impaired driving accidents in Ontario.
Learn more about your potential legal options. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Toronto car accident lawyer focused on your personal needs. Our law firm has three offices conveniently located in Toronto, Brantford, and Simcoe, Ontario.
