Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 83 often missing, and much of the legislation needs to be strengthened. There are broad variations in the current provincial legislation. The Report assesses provincial and territorial impaired driving legislation in terms of domestic and international best practices. Most jurisdictions have programs that address, in some fashion, almost all of the 2012 legislative priorities. However, much of the current legislation needs to be expanded and strengthened. Similarly, there are broad discrepancies in the progress made across the legislative priorities. Considerable strides have been made with respect to graduated licensing, .00% BAC limits for young drivers, the short term ALS programs, and the alcohol interlock and remedial initiatives. However, less progress has been made on police enforcement powers, and virtually nothing has been done in terms of administrative vehicle forfeiture. MADD Canada is also concerned about the often long delays between the passing of legislation and its coming into force. The following outlines MADD Canada’s key provincial and territorial public policy initiatives: Administrative licence suspensions at .05% BAC, Administrative licence suspension (ALS) programs were initiated in the late 70s and early 80s to address the problem of impaired drivers who, while under the Criminal Code limit of .08% BAC, still represent a significant danger to others on the road. As research has consistently shown, key driving-related skills are impaired at .05% and the relative risk of a crash death rises sharply at that level. By taking risky drivers off the roads, ALS programs reduce the rate of impaired driving crashes, deaths and injuries. The programs also carry a significant deterrent value, provided they have the appropriate components. A shortcoming of the early ALS programs, and one which still exists in some provinces and jurisdictions today, is the short duration of the suspensions. Drivers often have their licences back in 24 hours or less, and that offers little incentive for them to change their behaviours. MADD Canada first advocated for comprehensive ALS programs at .05% BAC level in its 2003 Rating the Provinces and Territories’ Report. Working with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), we developed a model .05% Administrative Licence Suspension Program based on existing best practices in Canada. The model we recommend includes: • 7 – 14 day licence suspension for first offences, with 30, 45 and 60 day suspensions for second, third and subsequent infractions within a three year period. • Vehicle impoundments. • Mandatory licence reinstatement fee of $150 – $300. • The recording of the suspension on the drivers’ record. • Mandatory remedial measures (alcohol assessment, education, rehabilitation) for repeat offenders. All provinces and territories, except Quebec, have some form of ALS program. Few achieve the best practice model but there have been advances in the last few years, with Ontario, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia all increasing their suspension periods. 05% Sanctions and the Social Drinker • Critics of administrative licence suspension program argue that it penalizes the social drinker and suggest that people can no CANADA’S IMPAIREDDRIVING RECORD IS POOR BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS CONTINUED
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==