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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Traffic Section
Alcohol Unit
Impaired driving hurts us all
Drivers who choose to drive after drinking not only put themselves at risk, but everyone else on the road as well.
Odds increase for collisions involving alcohol on the weekends, in the early morning hours and during summer months.*
*People Against Impaired Driving
In 2003, alcohol was involved in 44 per cent of fatal collisions in Calgary, up from 38 per cent in 2002.
The Calgary Police Service has adopted a no tolerance approach to impaired driving enforcement.
Impaired driving facts and statistics
- Impaired driving is a leading cause of death in Canada
- The odds for an alcohol-related collision increase on the weekends, in the early morning and during the summer
- An estimated 4.4 million impaired drivers are on Canadian roads every month (Canada Safety Council, 2002)
- In 2000, alcohol was a factor in collisions that resulted in the deaths of 864 people on Canadian roadways (Canada Safety Council)
- In 1999, there were 906 people killed in Canada in road crashes involving an impaired driver, and approximately 3,500 drivers were involved in alcohol-related serious injury crashes (Canada Safety Council)
Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension
The Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension (AALS) program has been operating since 1999. Under this law any driver who is charged with having a breath or blood sample over .08, or refusing a demand for a breath or blood sample, will receive an automatic three-month licence suspension.
If an impaired driver causes bodily harm or death, the AALS suspension ensures that their licence is taken away for at least six months, on the spot.
For more information on the AALS program, visit the Alberta Transportation Website.
Education and enforcement
Through education, the Calgary Police Service aims to reduce the number of alcohol-related collisions on our roads.
The Traffic Education Unit of the Calgary Police Service teaches Calgarians about traffic safety issues in our communities. The unit seeks to develop public awareness about the consequences of impaired driving, alter public attitudes about traffic safety, and significantly reduce injuries and deaths from motor vehicle collisions.
The traffic safety program is targeted towards specific age groups and is delivered to schools, community groups and corporations.
At the Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre, you will see photos of serious collisions that have been caused by drunk drivers. Many people find the display disturbing, but the centre does not hide the ugly reality of crime.
School Resource Officers offer an education program to high school students across the city. This population is key because many students are new drivers and are also experimenting with alcohol. Videos and class discussions are used to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
Enforcement
The Checkstop program is simple and effective. On a year-round basis, police from across the province set up check points on streets or highways and stop cars at random. If an officer believes a driver is unable to operate a vehicle because he or she is impaired, the officer may demand that the driver take a breath test. Drivers who exceed the limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood may face charges. Drivers failing to provide a sample of their breath may also face charges.
The Provincial Joint-Forces Checkstop program promotes a renewed, high-profile Checkstop program to Albertans. The program shares the operational expertise of enforcement agencies, including the Calgary Police Service, RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service.
For more information about Checkstop, please visit the Alberta Transportation Web page.
Help make our roadways safer
Every death and injury caused by impaired driving is preventable.
Steps you can take to protect yourself and others from this tragedy include:
- Never drive after consuming ANY alcohol. Although you may not feel impaired, just one drink reduces your reactions and ability to drivesafely.
- Appoint a designated driver. Take turns and plan your outings in advance to ensure everyone gets home safely.
- Preventing impaired driving is a shared responsibility.
- Stop anyone from driving if you do not have complete confidence in their ability to drive.
Signs of an impaired driver include but are not limited to:
- Driving unreasonably fast, slow or both.
- Tailgating or changing lanes at unreasonable speeds.
- Dangerous passing.
- Leaving intersections too quickly or too slowly.
What to do if you spot an impaired driver:
- Maintain a safe distance from the impaired driver's vehicle.
- Call police. You may be saving someone's life.
Frequently asked questions
Source: Traffic Injury Research Foundation
What does BAC mean?
This is an abbreviation for Blood Alcohol Concentration and refers to the weight of alcohol (expressed in milligrams) in a standard volume of blood (usually 100 millilitres). It is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC that exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Because the amount of alcohol in the breath is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol in the blood, BAC is readily (and most often) measured by means of a breath test.
What is the legal BAC limit in Canada?
The national legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. It is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada to have care or control of a motor vehicle if your BAC exceeds this limit, which can be expressed as .08, or .08 per cent, but usually is referred to as 80 mg.
What are the penalties for drinking and driving in Canada?
The Criminal Code of Canada specifies the sanctions for an impaired driving conviction. Visit the Traffic Injury Research Foundation to learn more about the penalities.
Each of the provinces also applies licence suspensions that may exceed the federal prohibition from driving that is mandatory for a conviction under the Criminal Code.
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