From November 30, 2023 to January 2, 2024, all Quebec police forces, in collaboration with Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) roadside inspectors, will be stepping up their interventions as part of the national concerted operation targeting alcohol - or drug - impaired driving.

These operations will include screening tests at checkpoints.  A national day of road safety operations will be held on December 8, across Quebec, to counter impaired driving.

In parallel with this concerted operation, an awareness campaign will be deployed on the various social media platforms of police organizations. The campaign aims to remind drivers of the consequences of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

For its part, the SAAQ will be running an awareness campaign from December 11, 2023 to January 11, 2024. The theme of the campaign is "When you drink, don't drive", and it is designed to make drivers aware that it is risky to drive after consuming alcohol, even in small quantities.

When a person drinks, it's always best to plan an alternative solution for a safe return, such as using a designated driver, cab, public transit, a drive-home service or the hospitality of a loved one.

Alcohol and drugs remain the leading causes of death in road collisions in Quebec. Between 2017 and 2021, on average, alcohol was involved in 25% of fatal collisions and 15% of serious injury collisions.

It remains essential to warn the public about the various myths surrounding the possibility of recovering one's driving ability more quickly in certain circumstances. Only time can dissipate the effects of alcohol or drug consumption.

In addition, the practice of estimating one's own blood alcohol level before getting behind the wheel presents significant risks and should therefore be avoided. The effect of a single drink should never be underestimated. If you drink or take drugs, you're not driving.

This concerted national operation is organized in partnership with the Sûreté du Québec, the Association des directeurs de police du Québec, Contrôle routier Québec, the SAAQ and all Quebec police forces.

For more information on this operation, we invite the public to consult the Sûreté du Québec's Twitter feed and Facebook page, as well as those of municipal police forces and the SAAQ.