Impaired Driving and Over 80 Charges are the Canadian Equivalent of the American Terms DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) and DUI (Drive Under the Influence) IMPAIRED DRIVING = DWI OVER 80 = DUI Impaired drivng (by drug or alcohol) relates to a person’s physical ability to operate a motor vehicle or vessel.  Slight impairment of a person’s ability to operate a vehicle (or vessel) is sufficient to constitute the offence.  However, proof of impairment is often not readily apparent and can be difficult to prove.  In accident cases, the physical consequences of the accident are often consistent with normal signs of impairment making proof beyond reasonable doubt extremely difficult.  The simple odour of alcohol by itself does not support a conviction for impaired driving. Over 80 is an arbitrary level of alcohol that the government has deemed unacceptable when operating a motor vehicle.  Many individuals exhibit no signs of impairment with alcohol levels above 80.