Rid Roads of Impaired Drivers

The evidence suggests that high doses of cannabis increase crash risk, with possible additional
risk posed by cannabis in combination with alcohol. As mentioned earlier, field screening
procedures are now able to be used in Victoria, followed by evidential bodily fluid testing if they are
positive. Further, there is the need for an improved understanding of the relationship between the
cannabis dosage, recorded levels of cannabis in blood or other specimens, the associated
impairments in driving skills and the impact on crash risk.

Transport Canada/MADD Canada commissioned EKOS Research Associates to conduct a study of public attitudes toward impaired driving. The main objective of this research was to measure the concerns, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of Canadians on impaired driving issues. The study collected relevant information to determine where awareness needs to be heightened and knowledge needs to be increased. The study also provided detailed information about public views on the key impaired driving issues of alcohol ignition interlock systems, driving while impaired by illicit drugs and prescription drugs, and the lowering of the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level from 80mg% to 50mg%.

New rules that restrict how allegedly impaired drivers can defend themselves in court are a violation of their rights, according to a Toronto defence lawyer who plans to launch a constitutional challenge.

When it came into effect on July 2, Bill C-2, the Tackling Violent Crime Act, closed a legal loophole that allowed accused drivers to challenge the results of roadside breathalyzer tests.

Recent amendments to the Criminal Code contained in Bill C-2 give police new powers to deal with drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Alan Young, a criminal lawyer and a professor at Toronto's Osgoode Law School, told CBCNews.ca in a July 10 interview what he believes to be the possible complications from the new law.

Doug Beirness of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse has a different take on the legislation. He says the changes will provide powers and tools necessary to help deal more effectively with impaired drivers.

This month's tip talks about the effects of drinking and driving. ICBC Customer Service Rep Donna Holmes and crash survivor and public speaker Kevin Brooks explain the consequences behind making the decision to have a few drinks and get behind the wheel.

From the preface of this Traffic Injury Research Foundation publication:

For many years, it has been acknowledged that ignition interlocks are inconsistently applied to
impaired driving offenders, despite compelling research that these devices are effective in reducing
recidivism from 50-90% (Voas and Marques 2003). More recently, this has lead many agencies,
policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, to examine interlock delivery mechanisms in an effort to
gain better understanding of where loopholes exist in the system and, more importantly, what steps

ETSC’s Newsletter on Drink Driving Policy Developments in the European Union.

The amendments to the Criminal Code regarding impaired driving in the Tackling Violent Crime Act take effect next Wednesday. The aim of the amendments, as explained in the preamble to the bill, Whereas driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can result in serious bodily harm and death on Canada’s streets; is to give the police new tools to detect and prosecute both drug and alcohol impaired driving. Under the new legislation police will now be able to:

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Bill C-2 receives Royal Assent, drug impaired driving provisions to take effect on July 2, 2008