On 31 August 1997, Princess Diana died tragically in a car crash driven by a drunken chauffer. Her death was shocking on several levels. It was violent. "It sent those she had touched through her charity work into heartbroken mourning, and saddened millions more who had never met her but who had followed her troubled and sometimes troublesome life with the intimacy that modern celebrity affords." This accident would not have happened if the driver was not intoxicated by alcohol. The recent figures from Statistics Canada show that there has been a 50% reduction from 1981 to 1996 in the number of Canadians being charged with drunk driving. There is a lifelong sorrow for the relatives of the fatal victims; moreover, there are astronomical costs, and problems for repeat offenders.

Drunk drivers cause more deaths, injuries, and destruction than all murderers, muggers, rapists, and robbers combined. Every six hours, someone is killed by an impaired driver. Every twenty minutes, someone somewhere in Canada becomes a victim to an impaired driver. Every year, more than 45% of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol. More than 1.700 Canadians die each year as the consequence of intoxicated drivers.

Tens of millions of dollars are spent annually in court costs, rehabilitation, lost earnings, health care, and social programs all because of drinking driving accidents. This money comes directly out of the citizens' pockets in taxes and lost revenue. Transport Canada reports the minimum loss to society as a result of road accidents involving alcohol as:

$390,000 per fatal accidents

$310,000 per fatality

$12,000 per injury accidents

$3,600 per injured victim

Almost 30,000 Criminal Code license suspensions were issued in 1992 for drinking driving related charges. Over one-half (59%) were repeat drinking driving offenses. Of all suspensions issued for impaired driving, 65% were issued for a second or subsequent offense. Crashes happen more often in summer than winter. Over two-thirds of the crashes occur on weekends; one quarter of all crashes happens on Saturday. More than 66% of drinking driving crashes happen between 1800hrs and 0300hrs. Every forty-five minutes in Ontario, a driver is involved in an alcohol related crash. The profiles of these perpetrators of this crime are 90% male in the 25-34 age category.

People drink for many reasons. It is a way to escape from pressure and stress. Also, it is a relief from emotional and financial problems. Some people are pressured into drinking by their peers. Drinking is a social aspect. It is an accepted practice in the business world.

Some solutions to reduce drinking driving problems are to lower the blood alcohol content (BAC) for the Breathalyzer test. The government can increase the suspension of licenses from a three-month period to a longer period such as one year. Repeat offenders should receive a jail sentence. Lastly, our government should strongly increase the education about alcohol abuse and the consequences of drinking and driving.