N.B. impaired-driving laws improving
Published Tuesday October 7th, 2008
But province still has far to go, says MADD
New Brunswick is one of only two provinces currently "setting a good example" in developing effective legislation to address impaired driving in Canada, according to a national report.
But results of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada annual progress paper released yesterday does not indicate that the province is one of the best at making roads safer from impaired driving, says the group's CEO.
"You have to give credit when they attempt to rectify a terrible situation," said Andrew Murie, pointing to new legislation the province put into place over the last year. "But I don't want to leave any impression that New Brunswick has gone from 12th to first."
In 2006, New Brunswick ranked second-worst in impaired driving legislation, finishing better than only Nunavut when compared to the other provinces and territories.
But within the last two years, the provincial government has enacted legislation to strengthen its graduated licensing program.
The province introduced late night driving restrictions for beginner drivers, requires all drivers under 21 to have a blood alcohol count of .00 per cent, and has authorized police to stop vehicles to demand field sobriety tests from drivers suspected of having consumed alcohol.
A 90-day administrative licence suspension program, also included in the June 2007 legislation, was recently brought into force.
"What has happened in the two years since that time is that New Brunswick has made legislative changes," said Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada. "It doesn't mean they have gone to the top."
"Some of the things they have done are just to catch up with the other provinces."
Public Safety Minister John Foran says he is proud of what he has been able to implement in the last two years, but that by no means is the job done.
The minister said he has now told his staff to review the report and isolate further recommendations to take the province to the next level.
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On one hand PNB is giving the impression it is doing something about drinking & driving; but on the other hand they are making it more convenient to access the booze (along the highway) that causes the problems MADD is trying to eliminate!! This doesn't make sense!!
Plain to see Graham & bandits are starting to see the folly in closing NBLC's Salisbury outlet; now they are trying to smooth ruffled feathers by stating The Right Spot outlet may remain!! Doing so, backs them into another snake pit because Graham's stated view on the new NBLC location!!
I have no tolerance for Drinking & Driving; it will never be eliminated but the carnage on our roads has got to stop!!