Ottawa police seeing 27% increase in impaired driving collisions so far this year

The sign outside Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Police Service says it has seen an increase in collisions caused by impaired drivers this year.

In a news release Monday, police said a rise in impaired driving remains a concern with 56 collisions related to drugs or alcohol reported as of March 30, an increase of 27 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Police say they conducted 17 RIDE programs in the week leading up to St. Patrick’s Day from March 12-22.

Thirty motorists were charged with impaired driving-related offences in that period following traffic stops, RIDE checks and calls from the community.

“High activity periods like St. Patrick’s Day continue to present risks on our roads,” Ottawa police say. “Help protect our community by driving safe and sober.”

Ottawa police reported that it issued 854 impaired driving charges in 2025, up from 2024’s total of 837.

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