WRPS point to ‘disturbing’ trend in impaired driving, up almost 20%
Posted Feb 25, 2026 11:03:15 AM.
Last Updated Feb 25, 2026 11:47:59 AM.
Red flags have been raised by Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), which has released new numbers showing impaired driving has climbed by almost 20 per cent in the region.
The numbers stem from a recent WRPS board meeting, where details showed the service laid 967 impaired-driving charges across roads in 2025, an increase of 18 per cent compared with 2024.
“That encompasses both alcohol and drug-impaired driving offences. They’re under the same section of the Criminal Code of Canada,” said Staff Sergeant Scott Metcalfe with WRPS. “Impaired driving continues to be a concern for us at WRPS on our regional roadways. It is the number one cause of criminal death in Canada.”
While the number points to a disappointing trend in the region, Metcalfe said the data also demonstrate the continued efforts of officers and other members of WRPS, working to get as many impaired drivers off the roads throughout the year.
“Our officers are trained as drug recognition experts; they take extensive training on identifying drug-impaired drivers,” Metcalfe stated. “We did 92 evaluations about drug-impaired drivers, and out of those 92 evaluations, 73 of those drivers were deemed to be impaired by one or more drugs.”
He said regional police have continued to benefit from the help of other drivers on the roads, and residents throughout the region have submitted tips on possible impaired drivers on streets.
While those tips are relied on throughout much of the year, R.I.D.E. programs and other efforts to monitor public events, including Oktoberfest, are also part of their proactive efforts to curtail impaired driving throughout the region.
“I say this whenever we launch the seasonal campaigns; it’s never been easier for people to find other choices and means to not drive impaired with ride sharing, with public transportation and so on,” said Chief Mark Crowell. “It’s concerning to us, and we’ll make best efforts to mitigate, educate, and enforce.”
While police continue to drive numbers back in the right direction, it still highlights a dangerous trend seen throughout the region, as last year, upwards of 24 per cent of the region’s 19 collisions were caused by one of the ‘Fatal Four.’
That includes distracted driving, speeding, unworn or hindered seatbelts, and impaired driving.
“I find it astounding in this time and age that we have this 18 per cent increase,” said board member and regional Councillor, Doug Craig. “This is really disturbing from my perspective.”
During that meeting, Craig asked what could aid regional police in addressing the issue, with members pointing to the benefits of additional personnel, including traffic enforcement officers who are expected to be rolled out throughout the year.
“We’re out there doing what we can with ride initiatives to identify areas of concern within the public,” said Metcalfe. “We’re also working with our previous information that we have, our evidence-based gathering of information, where we can decide where to allocate those resources.”
Chief Crowell stated that WRPS “will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to impaired driving,” adding that it’s one of their top areas of focus for 2026.
