The Data

Impaired Driving Statistics

The numbers behind one of Canada's most preventable causes of death and injury on our roads.

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National Picture

Canada's Impaired Driving Problem

~1,500
Canadians killed annually
63,000+
Canadians injured per year
Every 3h
Someone is killed or injured
#1
Criminal cause of death in Canada
Saskatchewan Data

Right Here in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan consistently ranks among the provinces with the highest rates of impaired driving. The problem is particularly acute in rural communities and among young drivers.

IndicatorStatistic
SK traffic fatalities involving alcoholApproximately 1 in 5
Youth (16–24) crash overrepresentationSignificantly overrepresented relative to kilometres driven
Most dangerous timesFriday/Saturday nights, long weekends, holiday season
Most dangerous locationsRural highways — higher speeds, fewer alternative transport options
Drug-impaired driving trendIncreasing, particularly cannabis following legalization
Youth Statistics

Young Drivers & Impairment

Young people are disproportionately represented in impaired driving statistics — both as drivers and as victims. This is exactly why SADD's peer-to-peer model matters.

  • Young drivers (16–24) represent a small share of licence holders but a disproportionate share of impaired driving fatalities
  • Peer influence is a major factor in young people's decisions about drinking and driving
  • Young people are more susceptible to alcohol impairment at lower BAC levels
  • Cannabis impairment among youth drivers has increased since legalization
  • Programs like SADD that use peer-to-peer education are among the most effective at changing youth behaviour
  • Young people who have discussed impaired driving with peers are significantly less likely to make unsafe choices
    • Data Sources

    Statistics compiled from Transport Canada, SGI, Statistics Canada, and TIRF (Traffic Injury Research Foundation). Contact the SADD Saskatchewan provincial office for full citations and the latest data from your Chapter Manual.

    The Numbers

    Every Statistic Is a Person.

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