DriveSmartBC

Using alcohol helps drivers make poor decisions. Of course, the decision of importance to us all is "do I drive, or have I had too much?" This is a decision that should be simple, if you drink don't drive, and the law should reinforce that.

The Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) for new drivers requires exactly that, a zero blood alcohol content (BAC). If you drive with any BAC, you will be prohibited from driving for 12 hours if caught. Should your BAC be over 50 mg% you will be treated like all other drivers and once this information reaches the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, GLP drivers can expect to receive another prohibition.

It is past time to extend the GLP rules to all drivers. This will help eliminate the possibility of a bad decision because it would now be "I had a drink, I can't drive" instead of "do I drive, or have I had too much?"

Perhaps there should be a traffic ticket for driving with a measurable BAC. The higher the measure, the higher the ticket in the manner of today's speeding fines, until the point of criminal sanction has been reached and the courts can take over applying the penalty. Currently a non-GLP driver usually faces no sanction at all until their BAC reaches 50 mg%. Is a driver traveling at 20 km/h over the speed limit a greater risk than a driver with a BAC of 40 mg%? The speeder gets a ticket and the 40 mg% driver goes free today.

If you are concerned about impaired driving, please support your local anti drinking and driving public interest group. For central Vancouver Island, join Rid Roads of Impaired Drivers and elsewhere join Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Together we can make a difference!