September 15, 2006

MADD Canada wants three impaired driving initiatives for New Brunswick

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has a wish list for the next Premier and the next Parliament:  introduce three impaired driving measures that will lead to safer roads in New Brunswick.

MADD Canada’s National President – and Saint John resident – Karen Dunham is calling on the Party Leaders and all M.L.A.’s to ensure the fight for impaired driving is a priority in new Parliament.  Mrs. Dunham is hopeful the new Government will recognize that the number of deaths and injuries caused by alcohol- and drug-related crashes can be reduced with by acting on a few key legislative initiatives.  “The human lives lost, the tremendous health and social costs, and the innocent victims of these 100% preventable crimes, all point to the need for impaired driving to be a focus of the Government’s mandate.”

“MADD New Brunswick Chapters and our supporters across the Province ask that all MLAs support our request for action on three specific impaired driving initiatives for the New Brunswick Government within the next two years.”

MADD Canada cites the following initiatives as a legislative package that will significantly reduce the impaired driving fatalities and injuries on New Brunswick roads.  

• Enhance the graduated licence program, including a zero BAC condition for drivers until the age of 21 – establish a comprehensive three-stage GLP that considers appropriate restrictions and probationary periods for higher-risk driving circumstances; and, requires all GLP drivers to maintain a zero BAC condition until the age of 21.
• Enhance the short-term licence suspension program  – adopt the newly approved pan-Canadian model for short-term licence suspension program that would establish a 7 -14 day administrative licence suspension for those testing over 0.05% BAC; and, set increased penalties and a mandatory remedial program for repeat offenders. (The model builds on current best practices in Canada and is approved by all provincial government transport officials.) 
• Establish a mandatory alcohol ignition interlock program and a vehicle impoundment program – introduce a mandatory interlock program upon first offence; and, follow Manitoba’s example of establishing a vehicle impoundment program for offenders who are convicted of a third impaired driving offence or caught driving with a suspended licence. 

MADD Canada is the country’s preeminent anti-impaired driving group and the volunteer organization serves as the victims’ voice on impaired driving issues. MADD Canada has five local organizations in New Brunswick – Greater Fredericton Area, Saint John, South Eastern New Brunswick (Moncton), MADD Charlotte County (St.Andrew's, St.Stephen and St.George) and Madawaska Region (Edmundston).

For further information:

Karen Dunham, National President
(506) 650-7473

Susan MacAskill, Atlantic Chapter Manager
1-866-798-6233

Andrew Murie, Chief Executive Officer
1-800-665-6233, ext. 224