MADD Canada applauds N.B. on new graduated license program
“Zero BAC to 21 will make a significant difference”:  MADD Canada President

June 3, 2008 -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) heaped praise on Minister John Foran, New Brunswick’s Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety, for his actions in introducing a new graduated licensing program that would have zero tolerance for impairment for new drivers in their first five years of driving.

The New Brunswick Legislature is currently considering Bill 74, an Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act, which will enhance the Province’s graduated licensing program.

Margaret Miller, MADD Canada’s National President comments, “We have zero BAC until 21 as a cornerstone policy of our Rating the Provinces reports because statistics  show this is the age group that typically has a higher level of alcohol consumption and are more prone to binge drinking. It makes sense to keep the zero BAC restriction in place until drivers are beyond this period in their lives.”

Mrs. Miller adds, “New Brunswick’s new graduated license program will help establish good driving habits and practices that separate drinking from driving.”

The new legislation strengthens the Province’s graduated licensing program in a number of ways. The new provisions require:

• novice drivers to remain in Stage One for a minimum of eight months with the successful completion of an approved driver training course, and 12 months otherwise;
• new drivers will be required to maintain a zero blood alcohol content until they reach 21 years of age, which is in addition to the zero alcohol tolerance in Stage One and Stage Two of the graduated licensing program;
• a fully licensed driver accompanying a novice driver to have a minimum of 3 years of driving experience;
• driving to be restricted between midnight and 5 a.m.; and;
• passengers in a vehicle operated by a novice driver be limited to: an experienced, fully licensed driver (Stage One); and to the driver and a maximum of 3 other passengers (Stage Two).

MADD Canada urges New Brunswick Legislators to pass the Bill expeditiously. Mrs. Miller says, “We would like to see this new law come into effect as soon as possible. Zero BAC to 21 will make a significant difference and will save lives.,”

For detailed background on the benefits of a zero BAC to age 21 policy, visit MADD Canada’s on-line research library: 

http://www.madd.ca/english/research/research.html

• The Case for a Provincial 0.00% BAC Limit for All Drivers Under the Age of 21
• Youth and Impaired Driving in Canada : Opportunities for Progress

See also a new study published in the Canadian journal Injury Prevention at http://www.madd.ca/english/news/pr/p20080502.htm

For more information, call:

Margaret Miller, National President @ (902) 758-5328