Anti-DUI measures stalled by province

Anti-DUI measures stalled by province

Regional News

By: Joe Fantauzzi

More than a year after speeding and aggressive drivers were targeted by the province, a specific deadline for implementing new impaired driving measures appears up in the air.

An expanded ignition interlock program for drivers convicted of impaired driving-related offences is proposed as part of the province’s Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act. The legislation mandating roadside seizures of vehicles of drivers caught driving 50 kilometres an hour or more above the posted limit — is better known as the street racing law.

An interlock is described on the Transportation Ministry’s website as an in-car alcohol breath-screening device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood-alcohol concentration over a pre-set limit of .02 (i.e. 20 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood).

If you are subject to an ignition interlock condition, you are responsible for all installation and maintenance costs for the device, the province stipulated.

Street racing and aggressive driving measures in the legislation became effective Sept. 30, 2007.

A section allowing police to use flashing blue lights became effective the same day.

Still pending implementation, the impaired driving section of the legislation,  proposes to:

• Take measures to increase the installation of ignition interlock devices by convicted offenders. It allows drivers who are suspended for drinking and driving to get their licences back early if they install an ignition interlock;

• Create escalating sanctions for repeat drinking drivers who register having between 50 and 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of their blood, known as the “warn” range;

• Allow use of the civil forfeiture law to take vehicles away from people who continue to drink and drive.

The ministry denies it has dragged its feet on the issue and is expecting to have details of the program available within the next few months, spokesperson Bob Nichols said in an interview with this newspaper.

However, he was unable to provide specifics.

The ministry is committed to implementing the program, Mr. Nichols said, adding the government believes it will be an effective tool to alter some drivers’ behaviour.

In 2001, the previous Tory government launched a similar ignition interlock program.

As of Oct. 31, 2008, 2,796 ignition interlock devices have been installed in Ontario, according to Mr. Nichols.

Last year, in York Region alone, 1,122 impaired operation and related violations were reported, according to the 2007 York Regional Police statistical report.

In the corresponding period in 2006, 1,089 violations were reported in York.

The province should be focusing on ensuring the existing law is enforced, Newmarket-Aurora Tory MPP Frank Klees said, adding he believes one would be hard-pressed to find examples of the courts ordering an interlock device installed.

It is “unconscionable” the measure is not being mandated or enforced, he added.

“What good are new regulations if we’re not enforcing the ones we already have?” he charged. “It is unacceptable for any government to turn a blind eye to these issues.”

Ignition interlocks will save lives, Mr. Klees said.

“The people who end up killing someone else — how often do you hear about them having two or three or four drinking and driving conditions?” he asked.

In September, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada called for mandatory alcohol ignition interlock programs.

In a statement, following the release of a report entitled Rating the Provinces and Territories on Ignition Interlock Programs: The 2008 Report Card, MADD Canada’s national president Margaret Miller said the organization wants to see mandatory alcohol interlocks for all convicted impaired drivers.

Ontario received a C+ grade in the report, ranking it second nationally.

While the province scored poorly for its participation and eligibility requirements, the report registered high scores for its device specifications, program structure and program monitoring and criteria for removal.

Ontario also received moderate scores for its police powers and sanctions.

“There is no reason for the provinces and territories not to fully use this technology,” Ms Miller said.

“Alcohol ignition interlocks are a behaviour-altering, life-saving technology that can keep sober drivers safe from drinking drivers.”

In an e-mail, former MADD Canada York Region chapter president Margaret Williams said one way of curbing the “senseless carnage of human lives” on the roads is to “push for and to support the upcoming revisions to the ignition interlock program.”

Meanwhile, because the installation of an ignition interlock is a condition of a driver’s licence, police officers should be quickly able to determine if someone is driving without one of the devices, York Regional Police traffic bureau commander Staff Sgt. Brad Bulmer said.

York police have arrested people who have violated the condition they keep an interlock on their vehicle, he added.

He noted the not-yet-implemented legislation would also be rehabilitative, in that it would provide drivers an opportunity to get their licences back, even if their licences are suspended for a lengthy period.

“Certainly, this is an effective way to monitor the behaviour of people who have a history of drinking and driving”.

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