Preventing and enforcing impaired driving

Far too many people still choose to drive impaired. Whether it's the use of alcohol or drugs, both cause distraction and fatigue while driving. Changing these risky behaviours starts with:

  • Awareness
  • Education
  • Legislation
  • Enforcement

What is the Provincial Impaired Driving Committee (PIDC)?
 Formed in 1997 as a partnership, PIDC members create strategies to help improve a life-threatening problem on Alberta highways: impaired drivers.

What are they doing?
As one of the many committees dedicated to implementing the Traffic Safety Plan, the PIDC meets twice a year. At these meetings, they discuss:

  • New and developing issues related to impaired driving
  • Awareness and education programs being developed by government, industry and safety stakeholders
  • Provincial programs that support both education and enforcement by integrating province-wide, anti-impaired driving programs such as Checkstop,Designated Driver and Report Impaired Drivers (RID 911)

What does success look like?
 Changing behaviours takes time. The PIDC understands that their work will continue for years to come, and will continue to change focus as new issues arise. The Committee helped create legislative changes such as the Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension Program (AALS) and they expanded the impaired driving window to 10 years from the existing five years. They also helped develop the AALS training package for enforcement members. As new policy changes are proposed, the PIDC will continue to assist with their expertise.

Members:

Aboriginal Relations

Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission

Alberta Health

Alberta Health Services

Alberta Hospitality and Lodging Association, Insurance Bureau of Canada

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General

Alberta Motor Association

Alberta Sheriffs

Alberta Transportation

Alberta Transportation Safety Board

Calgary Police Service

Camrose Police Service   

City of Edmonton Office of Traffic Safety

Edmonton Police Service

Injury Prevention Centre

Lethbridge Regional Police Service

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

RCMP

SADD Alberta (Students Against Drinking and Driving)