10 impaired driving deaths since early 2023 in Mississauga and Brampton: police

Ten people have been killed in crashes involving drunk or otherwise impaired driving in Mississauga and Brampton since the beginning of 2023 — and all of those deaths were preventable, police say.

Peel Regional Police told INsauga.com five people have been killed so far this year — Jan. 1 through Dec. 18 — in three collisions they’ve investigated that have involved at least one impaired driver.

City of Mississauga officials recently pointed to Peel police figures that show in Mississauga alone this year (Jan. 1 through Nov. 30) there have been 89 crashes on the roads involving impaired drivers.

In 2023, Peel police numbers show officers investigated five collisions involving impaired driving that resulted in five deaths.

Over the past two years, police note, that’s 10 deaths attributable to impaired driving in Mississauga and Brampton. Prior to that, the numbers show, 34 people were killed across the region between 2018 and 2022 in impaired driving collisions — and numerous others seriously injured, Peel police brass have said.

Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews has said on several occasions, particularly during recent Holiday Season RIDE campaigns, that each and every one of those deaths was preventable.

He added year to year, impaired driving is the leading criminal cause of deaths and injuries in Canada.

That’s why Peel police continue to prioritize efforts to nab impaired drivers through beefed-up RIDE spot check campaigns during the holiday season and year-round.

The latest Holiday Season RIDE campaign in Peel kicked off in mid-November and continues until New Year’s Day.

As of this past weekend, some 7,000 vehicles had been pulled aside and more than 60 people charged during the first five weeks of the campaign.

In addition, more than 650 Highway Traffic Act charges or cautions had been issued by officers.

Citing the police numbers that show impaired driving played a role in 89 crashes so far this year in Mississauga, city officials say it’s a problem that urgently needs to be addressed.

“While there’s a lot to celebrate this time of year, it’s important to do so responsibly. Road collisions due to impaired driving continue to be a problem in Mississauga,” City of Mississauga officials said earlier in a news release. “Through the holiday season, the rate of collisions due to impaired driving is higher. That’s why the city is partnering with Peel Regional Police to remind drivers to be responsible by staying sober or finding a safe alternative.”

Mississauga officials also remind people of the stiff penalties for impaired driving, saying such drivers risk an immediate licence suspension, hefty fines, education or treatment programs and vehicle impoundment.

Last year’s Peel police Holiday Season RIDE campaign resulted in 155 impaired-related charges being laid and 116 drivers receiving three-day licence suspensions. In total, police investigated more than 12,000 vehicles during their 2023 effort.