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Editorial: Drunk drivers must be jailed
Commentary by Emily Plihal
for South Peace News
I think the Alberta government needs to crack down on impaired drivers.
It’s time to implement harsher penalties to those who choose to drive drunk, especially to those who are repeat offenders.
It’s incredibly upsetting to hear about all the drinking and driving occurring across the province resulting in fatalities of innocent people.
Especially in the summer, we hear about collisions occurring as a result of a drunk driver. How do we teach people to call for a ride or rent a hotel room instead of getting behind the wheel when intoxicated?
Last month 15 fatal accidents occurred in Alberta involving alcohol or drugs. Does the summer weather make people feel invincible? Not only are you putting your own life in jeopardy when you sit behind the wheel intoxicated, you are also putting the life of your passengers and other motorists at risk.
According to a Calgary lawyer’s website, alcohol is the cause of nearly half of the traffic fatalities in Canada each year. Impaired driving is also noted to be the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. Alcohol is involved in about 40 per cent of all traffic fatalities in Canada.
Initially, the impaired driver may be granted a temporary driving permit, good for 21 days. Immediately after this permit, a three-month suspension is imposed by the province. After conviction, this suspension will tack on an additional 12 months.
In certain cases, this suspension may be longer and may include hefty fines.
Second offenses may automatically call for jail time.
The government has tried to curb the number of impaired drivers in Alberta, implementing the zero alcohol tolerance graduated driver’s license program. Before, drivers under age 19 were 251 more times likely to be involved in a collision with a blood alcohol concentration in excess of 150 milligrams per cent.
According to an officer of the RCMP “K” division traffic services, approximately 7,700 people are convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year.
I understand having a beer on a hot summer day is refreshing, it is an adult’s prerogative to make that choice. However; your “choice” to step behind the wheel after whetting your whistle becomes a danger to every other Albertan on the road.
In my opinion, harsher penalties need to be implemented to those impaired behind the wheel. If a driver is caught impaired, their vehicle should automatically be set up with an ignition interlock. The breathing apparatus will not allow motorists to start their vehicle when impaired.
Second offence should be automatic jail time, and not just a minimum incarceration of 14 days. I believe at least one year in prison should be handed out to repeat offenders.
While in low security prison, I believe the convicted should be put through rehabilitation. Most repeat offenders are noted to have an alcohol dependency problem.
I have family in South Dakota, where I agree with their impaired driving convictions.
First offence is a $1,000 fine with up to one year in jail.
Second time offence is fine of $1,000, loss of driving privileges for a period of one year and the court may also sentence you up to one year in jail. You must also complete a court approved chemical dependency program and provide proof of financial responsibility.
Third time offence is an automatic felon charge, a $2,000 fine and up to two years in jail. Your license will also be revoked for one year after release from prison and you will be ordered to complete a court approved chemical dependency program and provide proof of financial responsibility.
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