New Rules Will Impact Social Drinkers

Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 28 April 2010 11:26107.5 KISSFM:

Vernon Mounties say tough new impaired driving rules will make people think twice about driving after consuming any alcohol. Spokesman Gord Molendyk says the proposal for a three day driving ban and $200 fine for blowing just below the legal limit of .08., could affect most social drinkers. "And I use this as an example, you go to a club after work, a hockey game, curling, or other social activities.You now have to think 'I may lose my license for three days.'" Molendyk says police support any new rules that make the roads safer, adding impaired driving cases are up in the Vernon area with an average of one or two people given 24 hour suspensions a day. Also under the proposed Motor Vehicle Act changes set to start this fall, drivers who blow above the legal limit -- or refuse to blow -- will face an immediate 90-day driving ban, 500-dollar fine and possible criminal charges.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving C-E-O Andrew Murie says the new regulations will lead the country in getting drunks off the road and he hopes other provinces will follow suit. Kelowna R-C-M-P Superintendent Bill McKinnon -- who's the president of the B-C Association of Chiefs of Police -- says the only way drunk driving statistics will improve is if the penalties are stiff and immediate.

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The B-C Restaurant and Food Services Association predicts wine consumption will drop when people dine out after the government introduced tougher impaired-driving laws. The bill gives police the power to issue immediate 90-day driving bans, impound vehicles and levy fines that could cost drivers nearly four-thousand dollars -- that's before criminal charges are even laid.
Drivers below the legally impaired limit could also face stiffer sanctions than today.Association president Ian Tostenson says he expects alcohol sales in restaurants to drop, with diners opting for just a glass or two of wine instead of sharing a bottle. (News1130/The Canadian Press)