Discussion regarding impaired driving laws in Alberta is not only about tougher penalties for those caught above the 0.08 legal blood alcohol limit, it could come down to whether or not Albertans support lowering the limit to 0.05.
Alberta Premier Alison Redford has come out in support of developing legislation to provide stiffer penalties for those found driving under the influence.
Alberta’s new premier is looking west to B.C. for inspiration as B.C. enacted its roadside prohibition program in September, 2010.
In essence B.C.’s template includes a warning range of 0.05 to 0.08. Although 0.08 is still the mark where a driver could face criminal charges, drivers caught in the warning range would face punitive fines.
For example, a first offence in the warning zone would include having your licence suspended and car impounded for 72 hours and fines and administration fees as much as $600.
A third offence within five years would get you to a 30-day suspension and vehicle impound, installation of a ignition interlock device for one year at a cost of $1,730 and a requirement to attend responsible driving program at a cost of $880. Once all the fees and administration penalties are tallied the bill is estimated to be $3,960.
Money is the ultimate motivator and B.C.’s template may well encourage people to think twice before driving after having a drink.
In B.C. the early results are encouraging as fatal accidents linked to impaired driving have been cut in half in the first nine months of the program.
It is a small sample size, but it certainly looks as though the roadside prohibition program is doing what was intended.
However, questions about the program remain.
Under the program, police are able to hand out these stiff penalties without judge or jury making it punitive roadside justice.
Also, Canada’s criminal code states the legal limit is 0.08, but the roadside prohibition program circumnavigates the criminal code by developing the warning zones of 0.05 to 0.08. In essence, the legal limit in B.C. is reduced to 0.05.
Are Albertans prepared to accept a legal limit of 0.05?
The roadside prohibition program has merit and should be discussed, but ultimately the solution should be stiffer sentences under the criminal code for drivers over 0.08 and those sentences should be strictly enforced for drivers convicted of impaired driving.
