Impaired driving offences rose more than 30 percent in Winnipeg last year

Impaired driving offences in Winnipeg climbed more than 30 per cent in 2024, according to new data released by police, raising concerns from safety advocates who say the trend is both troubling and frustrating.

The Winnipeg Police Service reported 462 impaired driving offences last year, up from 353 in 2023 — a 30.9 per cent increase and the first time in five years the number has exceeded 400.

“It’s frustrating, and it puts the onus on innocent people to protect themselves, and that’s unfair,” said Tanya Hansen Pratt, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada.

Hansen Pratt said the data should be upsetting to everyone, particularly since messaging about the dangers of impaired driving has been consistent for decades.

“It should upset all of us, because we’ve been repeating the same message over and over again for decades that people should not combine driving with the act of consuming alcohol and drugs,” she said.

She added that part of the problem lies in social attitudes that normalize drinking and driving.

“It’s socially acceptable to go to a restaurant and have a few drinks and then get behind the wheel and go home. But just because it’s socially acceptable doesn’t make it right.”

Despite the increase in recorded offences, police said the higher number does not necessarily mean there are more impaired drivers on the road. Rather, it reflects enhanced enforcement measures.

“Enhanced enforcement initiatives that we’re undertaking with our partners at MPI has resulted in an increase in arrests, specifically when it comes to drug impairment and our Don’t Drive High initiative,” said Deputy Chief Scott Halley of the Winnipeg Police Service.

Hansen Pratt acknowledged the role police enforcement has played in detecting impaired drivers.

“Seeing that uptick, we know that the Winnipeg Police Service is really good at using mandatory alcohol screenings, so we know they’re going to catch more impaired drivers.”

Still, she said the ultimate goal is zero impaired driving offences, especially given the number of transportation alternatives now available.

“It’s really easy to come up with a plan ahead of time. Just make that plan to get a safe ride home — you can take a taxi, an Uber, you can hop on a bus, call a friend, there’s no reason you have to get behind the wheel impaired,” she said.