In most Canadian provinces, the threat of accidents caused by impaired driving has become a major concern over the years. Impaired driving refers to the act of maneuvering a car while one is under the influence of any chemical such as alcohol or a drug that negatively affects his alertness and perception. The province of Ontario, for instance, has had its share of cases wherein residents in its cities have been involved in impaired driving mishaps either as victims or as perpetrators themselves.

Hence, to address this serious concern, the provincial government of Ontario has implemented strict laws with regard to impaired driving. It has assigned numerous groups of police officers on the roads and highways of its cities to act as watchdogs to motorists who may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These police officers are keen on observing drivers that are going beyond the speeding limit, ignoring traffic lights, or swerving illogically from one lane to another. Such acts are the usual signs of drunk or drugged driving. Once a motorist has been pulled over due to one of these traffic violations, the police will check him for any indication that he is driving while intoxicated. A standard field sobriety test is performed to confirm that the person is indeed under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If he fails the examination, his license will be suspended at once and he will be arrested.

Furthermore, other consequences faced by a person who is convicted of impaired driving in Ontario are fines, confiscation of the vehicle, requirement to attend a DUI or DWI school, and even imprisonment. The severity of the penalty depends on the frequency in which the offender has committed the crime.