In the News

Stiff penalties deter drinking
Nanaimo News Bulletin
April 28, 2010

Having a second beer with dinner might not seem like such a good idea once new legislation aimed at taking drunk drivers off B.C. roads comes into effect.

Acting Public Safety Minister Mike de Jong announced earlier this week new penalties for drivers caught imbibing before driving. Anyone who fails a roadside breath test will face a 90-day driving ban, a $500 fine and 30-day vehicle impoundment. Add in other fines and fees for towing and education and that second beer with dinner could end up costing more than $3,700.

Higher fines for people who blow a “warn” – defined as a reading between 0.05 and 0.08 blood-alcohol content – could lead to a three-day driving ban and a $200 administrative penalty.

Previously, the punishment handed out by police for either infraction was a 24-hour roadside suspension.

The legislation responds to an increase in drunk driving cases in the province, despite more than 30 years of education from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Counterattack programs.

Provincial stats show about one in 30 people have yet to get the message.

Unfortunately, the legislation won’t do much to curtail chronic drunk drivers, the people who rack up dozens of charges, fines, car accidents and injuries – and yet still drive despite the loss of their driver’s licence.

But the legislation gives police another tool to remove drivers from the road and puts the possibility of losing transportation, reputation and a significant amount of income in the front of people’s minds.

So when the waitress asks if you’d like another beer, ask for a glass of water instead.