Proposed legislation will make BC roads safer, says MADD Canada

MADD Canada welcomes plans by the Government of British Columbia to place licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments and other sanctions on impaired drivers.

The proposed legislation, announced by the Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General today, includes escalating licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments, remedial education programs, alcohol ignition interlocks and fines for drivers who get behind the wheel with BACs of .05% or higher.

“We are pleased to see British Columbia taking these progressive steps to address the problem of impaired driving,” said MADD Canada Chief Executive Officer Andrew Murie. “We believe these measures, combined with rigorous police enforcement, will help reduce impaired driving crashes, fatalities and injuries in British Columbia.”

Administrative licence suspension programs at the .05% BAC and higher level can significantly reduce the number alcohol-related crashes by taking impaired drivers off our roads.

Of particular note is the legislation’s emphasis on remedial or education programs for drivers and the use of alcohol ignition interlocks. These proposed measures come just over a year after British Columbia introduced mandatory alcohol ignition interlocks.

“Stopping impaired driving is dependent on changing driver behaviour,” Mr. Murie said. “This proposed legislation has a significant focus on rehabilitative measures, making British Columbia a leader in this area. By changing behaviours and deterring drivers from getting behind the wheel impaired, we hope to see fewer of them re-entering the system on repeat infractions and thus, reduce rates of impaired driving.”

Mr. Murie also noted British Columbia’s leadership with a Call 911 pilot program launched in Nanaimo in 2009. The province’s Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, together with the City of Nanaimo, the RCMP, the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation and MADD Canada, lead the effort to educate the public about the importance of calling 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.

MADD Canada looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of British Columbia, law enforcement and other partners to stop impaired driving and improve road safety in British Columbia.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads.

For more information:

Deb Kelly, MADD Canada Communications Manager at 1-800-665-6233, ext 240.