Although efforts to reduce instances of drunk driving seem to be yielding positive results, people are still urged to make plans to get home safely from their holiday celebrations this season.
“Always have a plan — have a designated driver, or have another way home,” said Sgt. Jim Lank, the Sundre RCMP detachment's commander, during an interview with the Round Up. Other options include taxis as well as new community programs that are rolling out to offer revellers a safe ride home, he added.
From his lengthy personal policing experience dating back years, Lank said the number of impaired driving charges laid by the department seems to have dropped significantly over the past decade or so. Before that, catching impaired drivers happened more often and related charges were more frequent, he added.
“I don't think we have the number of impaired drivers out in the streets — by drug or alcohol — that we did years ago.”
Attributing a large portion of that success to many years of public awareness initiatives and youth engagement, the sergeant also pointed out that drivers aged 16-30 now represent a lower risk of getting behind the wheel impaired.
“It's just an attitude change we've seen in younger drivers.”
Education has over the years had a positive effect on younger generations. While the public as a whole has also benefited, instilling such behaviour earlier rather than later has been an important factor, he said.
“People are most impressionable in their younger years.”
Lank said he was pleased to see efforts to reduce instances of impaired driving bear fruit, which has been the goal from the beginning.
However, while huge strides forward have been taken in regards to tackling the problem of drunk driving, additional efforts should also be focused on addressing impaired driving by drugs, he said.
Society in general, from government institutions such as schools to police departments, has done plenty to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving from coast to coast. And while information about the effects of other drugs is widely available online, a cohesive, countrywide public awareness initiative is lacking, he said.
“A youth or adult might think twice about drinking and driving, but perhaps not as much about smoking a joint and driving.”
As the federal government works towards legalizing marijuana, there will need to be a greater focus on raising awareness about the effects of the drug's impairment on a driver's judgment and reaction times. Such efforts have to an extent begun at a local level, with last spring's mock collision scenario at Sundre High School featuring a drama student who played the role of a deceased driver who had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol, he said.
While it's hard to say whether there will be an increase in marijuana use following legalization, there can never be enough education and public awareness raised about the substance's effect on motorists, he said.
“The bottom line, is don't drink and drive — and don't smoke and drive, I'm going to ad that — that's the number 1 message.”
Aside from the criminal charges an impaired driver faces if caught by police, that individual also risks not only his or her own safety, but that of any passengers in the vehicle as well as other motorists on the road, he said.
“They're a danger to themselves and everyone else,” the sergeant said about those who decide to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Should a person find him or herself in a challenging position of knowing a friend who wants to drive home impaired, that individual has a few options. Although that discussion should be held before the party even starts to sort out such details well in advance, Lank suggests taking the impaired driver's keys if the situation does come up, or to call a taxi or any available community courtesy service. There's also the possibility of simply spending the night. But should worst come to worst, someone who is truly concerned about the welfare of his or her friend could call the police, he said.
“It's everyone's responsibility to look after themselves and their friends. All I can say is do your best to prevent someone from drinking and driving.”
Police will be actively patrolling with a focus on impaired motorists throughout the holidays along with a checkstop on New Year's Eve as always, he said.
While the sergeant hopes people enjoy themselves over the holidays, he also urges them to be responsible.
“Everyone will be all the better off.”
