RAINY RIVER -- With National Impaired Driving Prevention Week happening now until March 23, the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police are reminding the public of how dangerous it is if you drive impaired.
“On average, 2,200 Canadians are killed every year and almost 64,000 are injured due to impaired driving,” OPP North West Region said in a Facebook post on Monday.
“In Ontario, 55 per cent of motor vehicle crashes are caused by impaired driving.”
The OPP said using alcohol and drugs while behind the wheel can lead to “aggressive driving, inconsistent speed, inability to gauge impairment, blurred vision, slower reaction time, disorientation, reduced attention, and memory issues.”
Planning a safe ride home before drinking alcohol or using cannabis is always recommended – since these substances can result in poor decision-making.
“Increased enforcement, RIDE programs and impaired driving education will be a major focus again for the OPP to reduce impaired driving in 2024,” the OPP Facebook post said.
