Stopping impaired driving is everyone’s job

Islanders are urged to play an active role in stopping impaired driving behaviours that puts all communities at risk.

The consequences of impaired driving in Prince Edward Island are well known to Islanders and are amongst the most severe in Canada. Though the penalties may have contributed to an overall decrease of charges laid in the last 10 years, impaired driving continues to be a significant problem in this province. 

“Impaired driving on PEI is not the sole responsibility of law enforcement to stop. It is the responsibility of all Islanders to realize that we have to work together to stop impaired driving," said Cst. Stephen Duggan, PEI RCMP officer and Board Member of MADD Canada. "The RCMP provincially and nationally works with MADD Canada toward that goal of reducing and eliminating impaired driving in our communities. Your local MADD Chapters are entirely volunteer based and if you want to make a difference in your community, contact your local MADD Chapter. Impaired driving will only stop if we work together as a team. Your local RCMP members are very dedicated and pro-active in removing impaired drivers off our roads.”

The Province is beginning a public awareness campaign with law enforcement and first responder partners to encourage Islanders to change complacent attitudes and behaviours related to impaired driving and ultimately, to help save lives. 

“The numbers may say there’s a decrease but the truth is, impaired driving is still a big problem in our province. We have to stop tolerating this behaviour and we need Islanders to help us do that. We can’t do this alone."

- Justice and Public Safety Minister Bloyce Thompson

Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal injury and death in Canada and has caused over hundreds of preventable tragedies across our province in the last decade.

“As a volunteer firefighter, I have been called out for countless emergencies. I never really know what to expect when I attend a scene until I’m there. It can be downright devastating, especially when it’s someone you know from your own community. Every event stays with you,” said fire chief of North River Fire and Rescue, Anson Grant.

“Every action has consequences and with impaired driving, those consequences don’t stop with the person behind the wheel. Impaired driving tragedies hurt the victim, their families and the community. And of course, what happens in one part of the province affects us all,” minister Thompson said. “We need change and it needs to start today.”

Media contacts:
Vicki Tse
Department of Justice and Public Safety
vickitse@gov.pe.ca