Canadians Demand Tech and Tougher Laws to Combat Impaired Driving

OAKVILLE, Ontario – January 28, 2026 – A decisive majority of Canadians are calling for stronger government action and the adoption of advanced technology to combat impaired driving, a problem over 90% of the population views as a serious public safety issue. According to a new national survey conducted by Ipsos for MADD Canada, there is a significant disconnect between public concern and the perception of government efforts, with less than half of citizens believing officials are doing enough.

The findings reveal overwhelming support for a slate of policy changes, signaling a clear public mandate for lawmakers. The poll, conducted in late 2025 with nearly 2,000 Canadians, highlights a population ready for a more aggressive and technologically advanced approach to making roads safer.

“These survey results show that Canadians recognize the dangers of impaired driving and want governments to do more to prevent it,” said MADD Canada CEO Steve Sullivan in a statement. “The strong public support for enhanced laws and enforcement measures reinforces the need for action to reduce deaths and injuries caused by impaired driving.”

A Mandate for In-Car Technology

At the forefront of the public's demands is the integration of technology directly into vehicles. A full 80% of Canadians support passing a law that would require passive impairment detection technology in all new vehicles. This measure would mirror legislation already enacted in the United States, where the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 mandates that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) establish a safety standard for such systems. The US rule is expected to lead to all new cars being equipped with anti-impaired driving technology by 2030.

This technology is designed to be passive, meaning it operates without requiring any specific action from the driver. Systems under development, such as the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), can measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) through a touch-based sensor on the ignition button or by analyzing the driver's breath. Other systems monitor driver performance, looking for signs of impairment like erratic steering or lane departure, and would intervene to limit or prevent vehicle operation only if danger is detected.

The personal impact of this preventable crime fuels the call for change. “With the support of Canadians, MADD Canada will continue to encourage the Government of Canada to commit to this life saving technology,” stated MADD Canada National President Tanya Hansen Pratt. “I can only imagine the difference this technology would have made in 1999 when my Mom, Beryl, was killed by an impaired driver. Victims and survivors of impaired driving want to see action from the Canadian Government.”

Further demonstrating the desire for strict accountability, 93% of respondents agree that drivers who cause death while impaired should be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles for life. These devices require a driver to provide a clean breath sample before the vehicle will start. All Canadian provinces and territories, except Nunavut, already have interlock programs, which studies show can reduce repeat offenses by up to 90% while the device is installed.

Expanding Police Enforcement Powers

Beyond preventative technology, Canadians are also demanding more robust enforcement of existing laws. The survey found near-unanimous support (95%) for expanding Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) to allow police to demand a breath test from any driver involved in a collision, regardless of whether impairment is suspected.

MAS, which became law in Canada in December 2018, already empowers police to demand a breath sample from any driver they lawfully stop, removing the previous requirement for reasonable suspicion. This tool is considered a global best practice, with countries that have implemented similar random breath testing programs reporting reductions in alcohol-related fatalities by as much as 40-50%. The public's desire to expand this to all collision scenes indicates a wish for more proactive and certain enforcement.

Furthermore, nearly 90% of Canadians believe MAS should also be extended to the operation of personal vessels and boats, closing a potential loophole in recreational safety.

Closing the Provincial Gap in Quebec

The survey also uncovered a significant knowledge gap and a strong desire for legislative consistency across the country. Only 36% of Canadians are aware that all provinces and territories, except Quebec, have administrative laws that impose immediate sanctions for drivers with a BAC between .05% and the federal criminal limit of .08%. These non-criminal penalties typically include short-term license suspensions and vehicle impoundment.

When informed of this discrepancy, a striking 71% of Quebecers said their government should implement a similar .05% BAC law. This finding suggests a powerful, untapped consensus for change within the province.

Quebec's status as the lone holdout has been a long-standing concern for safety advocates. The call for a .05% law in the province is not new and is supported by a coalition of influential bodies, including provincial coroners, law enforcement agencies, and the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), the province's own automobile insurance board. The survey results now add the weight of public opinion to this expert consensus, putting increased pressure on the provincial government to align its road safety policies with the rest of Canada.