Preventing Impaired Driving Deaths is in Your Hands

For Connie Beatty, the loss of her 22-year-old daughter Rebecca has left an irreplaceable emptiness.

"As hard as it is to retell the events of our worst day and trying hard to find a way to rebuild our broken hearts, the hope of spreading awareness is what gives me strength that perhaps I can change someone's life from this tragedy," she said at this year’s provincial Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) launch hosted by Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) 23 Division on November 20.

On October 3, 2022, Rebecca Beatty and her close friend were driving near Trenton when they were killed in a collision with an impaired driver

“Honouring Rebecca and her dear friend’s memory has become of high importance to me. They will not have died in vain and be forgotten. Creating awareness in hopes of saving others is my mission.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been a powerful voice in the fight against impaired driving for decades, advocating for stronger laws, better enforcement and greater public education.

“Despite progress, hundreds of Canadians are killed every year and thousands more are injured because of impaired driving,” said Chief Executive Officer Steve Sullivan. “It remains one of the leading causes of criminal death in Canada, if not the leading cause. Every day, someone’s life is tragically impacted by someone else’s choice to drive while impaired. None of us ever thinks it will happen to us, but it happens to someone every day.”

As of October 31, TPS arrested 1,194 people for impaired driving, resulting in 2,603 alcohol and drug-related charges.

TPS Superintendent Catherine Jackson said the provincial RIDE launch reflects Ontario’s police services collective approach to impaired driving and reinforces their united efforts to educate, raise awareness and enforce safe driving practices.

“Impaired driving is 100 percent preventable, and we will do everything we can to stop it.” she said, of the enhanced enforcement efforts by police across the province. “We cannot do this work alone. The fight against impaired driving requires strong partnerships… Everyone deserves to go home safely to their families during the holiday season and every day of the year.”

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Chief Superintendent Andre Phelps, is the co-chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Traffic Committee.

“While our shared goal throughout the year is keeping the roads free from impaired driving, ramping up our efforts during the holiday season is one of the most impactful aspects of the work we all do, be it on the frontlines or behind the scenes to keep people safe on our roads,” the OPP Highway Division Commander said. “We do so because there should be no empty seats at any family’s dinner table during the holidays or at any time of the year because of a driver’s decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs.”

So far this year, 34 people have been killed on OPP-patrolled roadways.

“Our thoughts turn to the families who have lost these loved ones in such a tragic and senseless way,” Phelps added. “In the past 10 years, more than 650 people have been killed in impaired driving-related incidents on OPP-patrolled roadways.”

Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Morera, the OACP first vice-president, noted the holiday season is a special time for families.

“It is also a time when we are reminded just how important it is to look out for one another,” he said. “The message behind the festive ride program is simple, but powerful. Do not drive impaired, whether it is alcohol, cannabis or any other substance that impairs your ability to make decisions to keep others and yourself safe on roadways. If it affects your ability to drive, it affects everyone’s safety.”

During the festive RIDE season, TPS traffic officers are leading the charge while officers from other divisions are also working hard to ensure that impaired drivers, whether under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are held accountable.

“There are additional Toronto officers out every night looking for drivers, especially those that make bad decisions,” said Sergeant Brett Moore. “Typically, these are good people who make a bad decision.”

Staff Sergeant Paul Qureshi reinforced that impaired driving is preventable.

“In a large city like Toronto, there are so many options that are available to get to and from home or an event than putting yourself and the community at risk,” he said.