| Hurricane | 11-08-2010 06:16 PM |
It is kind of humorous that our PM stepped down shortly before this stuff was brought forward by the Liberals.
Another article... Quote:
Coleman considers watering down new drunk-driving rules
The Canadian Press
Updated: Mon. Nov. 8 2010 6:38 PM ET
Solicitor General Rich Coleman says he's pondering whether to water down British Columbia's tough new drinking and driving rules.
The new rules have only been in place since September, but B.C. bars and restaurants say business has dried up since the law was changed, he said Monday.
Police have powers to hand out hefty fines or impound cars if drivers are pulled over with a blood alcohol limit above .05, but officers have discretion at that alcohol level which means not every case means guaranteed punishment, Coleman said
He said he hasn't made up his mind about changing the law, but is planning a provincewide blitz this holiday season to let British Columbians know it's still OK to have a drink out on the town.
"Sometimes you get the urban myth that gets momentum and people start talking about that you can't even have one drink because you'll fail on the instrument," said Coleman. "That just goes through the public like wild fire."
He said he's already met with the Insurance Corp. of B.C., municipal police and the RCMP to discuss ways of letting people know more about the new law.
"We will go back and do better education and we'll look at this thing, and see going into the spring (legislative session) if there's certain things we may have to do to mitigate some of the public's concerns, but at the same time try and get the same results so we're protecting lives on the streets."
The new drinking and driving rules were hailed as the toughest in Canada when they were introduced last April.
Police are able to issue immediate 90-day driving bans, impound vehicles and levy fines that could cost drivers $3,750 before their matters ever come to criminal court.
The government said the new rules were aimed at cutting impaired driving deaths in British Columbia by 35 per cent by the end of 2013. An average of 130 British Columbians die every year in impaired-driving incidents.
Liberal John Les said the new rules have spread fear among British Columbians and the government needs to calm people.
"There have been a few unfortunate statements made out there that if you go out for an evening and have a glass of wine you shouldn't be driving," he said. "That's kind of a bit of an over-the-top statement."
Coleman made the comments as a Surrey court heard victim impact statements in the drunk driving death of Alexa Middelaer, the four-year-old girl the new law is named after.
| I agree with some of his points. I mean just read this thread; almost half of the posters were saying the same things. I can't have 1 or 2 drinks anymore.
Also if you read the original news release from the government here http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_rele...026-000472.htm in April; you will see the vehicle impoundment is only a possibility for the .05-.08 range. Not mandatory which perhaps people were led to believe by some careless members of our press.
On the other hand, the government going on an ''all out blitz'' encouraging British Columbians' it's still ok to drink and drive this holiday season...yeah...sounds like a well formulated and responsible plan.
Why they didn't introduce the whole plan more responsibly in the first place is way beyond me. | 