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Impaired driving no way to enjoy Labour Day weekend

According to Alberta Transportation Traffic Collision Statistics, one in eight drivers involved in fatal collisions are legally impaired.

The Labour Day weekend is our last hurrah, a chance to enjoy nature while the weather is still warm. For many it has become a tradition to sit around the campfire with family and friends. It’s all about barbecuing burgers, swapping a few more wild stories, and staring at the stars while toasting campfire s’mores. 

But there’s also a dark side to the Labour Day weekend — fatalities and injuries from boating, drowning, campfire burns, and unexpected encounters with wildlife. 

But the most common, deadliest, and completely preventable injury or fatality is the impaired collision. 

According to Alberta Transportation Traffic Collision Statistics, one in eight drivers involved in fatal collisions are legally impaired. From 2014 to 2018, 48 people were killed in impaired driving collisions. That’s up from 37 in 2017. 

In addition, on average, 643 people were injured in impaired collisions. September 2018 also recorded the highest number of fatalities and injury collisions for the year involving impairment. 

But it’s not just the highways. Let’s also look at recreational ATVs. Many see them as a fun, ideal vehicle to enjoy nature and explore difficult, out-of-the way terrain. Does having a beer or two before heading out hurt? It is risky. 

According to Edmonton’s Injury Prevention Centre website, there were 273 ATV-related deaths in Alberta from 2002 to 2019. Of the deceased drivers, 59 per cent (115 drivers) tested positive for alcohol, and of those deaths, 58 per cent were not using helmets. 

On average during that time period, there were 581 people admitted to hospital and 4,840 ATV injuries registering at emergency rooms. With hospitals experiencing increased COVID-related cases, these types of preventable injuries will just make it more difficult to provide quality care. 

Dr. Kathy Belton, assistant director at the University of Alberta Injury Prevention Centre, is asking people driving Alberta’s highways or going out on a last camping trip to take a judicious approach to recreational activities. 

“There is a higher rate of collisions. Part of the concern is impaired driving, not just with alcohol, but also with cannabis,” said Belton. “One of the biggest preventative measures if mixing cannabis and alcohol is you’ll be really impaired. If you ingest cannabis, it takes longer to feel the effects. It can take up to two hours to feel the effects and up to 12 hours to leave the system.” 

ATV rollovers, ejections, and collisions with other vehicles account for concussions, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and suffocation in some cases. So far this summer, media releases listed three ATV fatalities. 

Whether ingesting either alcohol or cannabis or mixing both, Belton notes that cognitive abilities function below optimum levels. Confusion, delayed reaction times, lack of focus, an unsteady gait, impaired judgment, and slowed co-ordination are some of the signs of impairment.  

“In my opinion, there is no safe amount,” she said. “It’s so preventable. It’s such a simple thing not to drive when impaired. If you’re in the city, call a friend or a family member. If you’re going to or leaving a campsite, don’t drink. And make sure there’s a buddy system in place so everyone gets back to their tent or recreational vehicle safely.” 


Anna Borowiecki

About the Author: Anna Borowiecki

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