MADD Canada

MADD Canada Releases

September 8, 2008

MADD Canada calls for Mandatory Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programs
New study gives poor grades to provinces for not using proven technology

September 8, 2008, National Release – All the Canadian provinces and territories received poor grades for failing to establish mandatory alcohol ignition interlock programs for impaired driving offenders. In a new study and report card, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) calls on the provincial and territorial governments to introduce mandatory alcohol ignition interlock programs. Comprehensive alcohol interlock programs reduce impaired driving among offenders, discourage them from dropping out of the system and driving without a licence and insurance, and encourage those with drinking problems to get treatment.

MADD Canada’s document, Rating the Provinces and Territories on Ignition Interlock Programs: The 2008 Report Card, analyses and grades each Canadian jurisdiction. In the organization’s first comprehensive review of alcohol ignition interlock programs, Alberta topped the class with a grade of C+, closely followed by Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. The Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which currently do not have alcohol ignition interlock programs, were lowest in the rankings with failing grades of F.

“We want to see mandatory alcohol interlocks for all convicted impaired drivers,” says Margaret Miller, MADD Canada’s National President. “There is no reason for the provinces and territories not to fully use this technology. Alcohol ignition interlocks are a behaviour-altering, life-saving technology that can keep sober drivers safe from drinking drivers.”

“We’ve published this study to prompt the provinces and territories to introduce better alcohol interlock programs, which will provide safer roads for all Canadians.” Mrs. Miller adds, “No province or territory should be please with their rating.”

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada’s CEO, states that the county’s alcohol interlock programs can be greatly strengthened. “Today, no province or territory has a mandatory alcohol interlock program for all offenders. Research tells us that these programs should be mandatory and that the minimum interlock period should be one year.”

“Technology can be part of the solution for reducing impaired driving deaths and injuries,” says Mr. Murie, “but programs like alcohol interlocks need to be comprehensive and integrated with other impaired driving countermeasures.”

The study’s co-author, Robert Solomon, says, “The latest statistics indicate that about 40,000 Canadians are convicted of an impaired driving offence each year. However, only about 11,000 Canadians have interlocks on their vehicles. This is an unacceptable gap, given that alcohol interlocks are a proven technology that can reduce impaired driving crashes among offenders.”

Rating the Provinces and Territories on Ignition Interlock Programs: The 2008 Report Card summarizes the legislation, regulations and current practice in each province and territory (except Nunavut). The study examines five areas: device specifications; participation and eligibility; program structure; program monitoring and criteria for removal; and police powers and sanctions. The document will serve as the basis for MADD Canada’s ongoing discussions with the provincial and territorial governments on the critical role that alcohol ignition interlock programs can play in reducing impaired driving.

The full study and report card can be found on the MADD Canada website: www.madd.ca

For more information and interviews, call:

Margaret Miller, MADD Canada National President @ (902) 758-5328
Andy Murie, MADD Canada CEO @ 1-800-665-6233, ext. 224
Robert Solomon, MADD Canada Legal Policy Director (Co-author) @ (519) 661-3603

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