Drunk drivers to face stiffer penalties in the new year

Posted on: J A McRae

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
 
More people may be staying in this New Year’s now that the newest legislation, Bill 26, has had third and final reading. 
Bill 26 was passed on Dec. 7 despite a similar law in B.C. being struck down only a week before. A jump in drunk driving related incidents prompted the bill proposal by Premier Alison Redford, and is the cause of controversy across the province. 
Though the bill has had its final reading, any changes in the law won’t be seen for at least six months according to Alberta’s Solicitor General Jonathan Denis. 
“Alberta’s number of drunk driving fatality and injuries are stubbornly high, one of the highest in Canada and I think the bill offers a made-in-Alberta solution to this particular issue,” said Denis. 
Denis explained that Alberta already had a 24-hour suspension in place for drivers who have a 0.05 blood alcohol reading. While the new legislation doesn’t lower the limit, it will increase the penalties. 
The stiffer penalties include a three-day license suspension and three-day vehicle seizure for a first offence. A second offence jumps drastically to a 15-day license suspension; seven-day vehicle seizure and offenders pay out of pocket for a ‘Planning Ahead’ course. A third offence will result in a 30 day suspension, seven day vehicle seizure and an ‘Impact’ course.
“I’m not after the person who has a glass of wine or beer after work or with a meal, I’m after the habitual drunk driver,” said Denis. 
“Realistically we’re just asking people to plan ahead, and if a cab isn’t available you can always have a designated driver.”
Mayor Steve Grajczyk is in favour of the new legislation. 
“Anything that can save lives I’m in favour for, simply put,” said Grajczyk.
“I think it puts a more conscientious degree to the whole situation.”
MLA Arno Doerkson also sees the potential benefit to stiffer penalties for those caught behind the wheel with between 0.05 and 0.08 BAC.  
“I think that there’s general agreement that we need to work on initiatives to reduce the incidents of impaired drivers on the road. I appreciate the fact that there’s some uncertainty with regards to the legislation and what it means and what the implications will be,” said Doerkson. 
He feels it is important to educate both the public and members of the hospitality industry to try to ensure the desired outcome is achieved.  
He is hopeful a reduction of impaired drivers will be the end result, and thinks it will take some time initially to get off the ground. 
“I’m opposed to it. I feel, as (with) the other Wildrose MLA’s that are currently sitting, that time would be better spent having more check stops and pursuing the individuals that are causing the accidents which aren’t the ones from 0.05 to 0.08,” said Jason Hale, the Strathmore-Brooks representative for Wildrose.
Hale said in 2008 it was shown in the transportation records that approximately 2.2 per cent of fatalities that year were caused by drivers that were between 0.05 to 0.08. He said drivers that had no blood/alcohol content caused just over 68 per cent of accidents, three per cent were caused by drivers who were below 0.05.
“It’s shown that it’s only going to hurt the restaurant industry and the RCMP would be better spending their time going after the actual impaired drivers that are causing most of the accidents,” said Hale.
“I really think they need to get the guys that are actually causing the accidents which are over 0.08. The average person who goes out for supper and has one or two drinks with supper, they’re not the ones causing the accidents.”
Denis disagrees with the statement that the people causing the accidents are the ones blowing over 0.08. He said he participated in a drinking test with the police a few weeks ago, having a few drinks over a period of time. Denis said he is an average sized guy of about 185 pounds, and he knew what it was like to be at 0.05. He didn’t feel like he should be driving at that point.
Strathmore Station owner Peter Klironomos is upset that there has not been more public consultation on the controversial bill. 
“My opinion is that Alison Redford, our premier at the moment, she’s pretty much undemocratically trying to put legislatures through with little input by the people or more debate in my opinion that’s needed. Considering she hasn’t been elected, I think this warrants a bit more of a debate on the issue and then eventually put to a vote by the people in Alberta,” said Klironomos.
“I think this will affect things like home parties and entertainment at home, or corporate functions or things like that. It’s a very fine line, basically what it means is that you can have a glass of wine in an hour and be fairly close to getting a warning or a couple days suspension.”
While Klironomos agrees no one should be drunk and driving he feels this law is a little too harsh and will affect businesses including the Saddledome during hockey games, or MacMahon Stadium during football games. 
“I think the laws that we have need to be enforced more, I believe maybe more check stops…not just check stops during the Christmas season but I think throughout the whole year,” said Klironomos. 
Klironomos is one of many wishing there had been more discussion. Opposition MPs were also hoping for more consultation but Redford had stated she wanted the legislation in place before Christmas. The Transportation Alberta website stated that Alberta does not believe fines are the solution and the changes do not include fines or new demerit point offenses. To find out more about the new legislation go to www.transportation.alberta.ca/impaireddriving.htm.