Editorials
November 20, 2008 12:14 AM
It seems Premier Dalton McGuinty wants to protect our children and forget about the rest of us with new legislation aimed at young drivers.
The premier proposed restrictions that include a zero blood-alcohol limit for all Ontario drivers 21 and younger and sanctions for young speeders, starting with a 30-day licence suspension.
“Perhaps the most precious thing we have in society is our children, and that includes our older children,” Mr. McGuinty said. “We owe it our kids to take the kinds of measures that ensure they will grow up safe and sound and secure.”
But what about the rest of us?
If the premier is serious about protecting children, make the rules the same for everyone.
Make it illegal for anyone to drive with alcohol in their system. Not only does that level the playing field, it makes our roads safer. Motorists will never have that “Am I sober enough to drive?” debate again.
If you have even one drink, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
“It should be zero tolerance for everyone when it comes to drinking and driving,” former MADD Canada York Region chapter president Margaret Williams said.
“This is a stepping stone. Once we get this passed, we can tackle the issue of other age groups.”
MADD Canada is using this legislation at the provincial level to lobby the federal government to reduce the current legal blood alcohol level for all drivers.
“We are tackling one thing at a time,” she added.
And perhaps this is what the province is thinking.
Just like the Smoke-free Ontario Act, this could be a foot in the door that will lead to tougher measures down the road.
At its core, this proposal is an attempt to ingrain good behaviour in young drivers so they’ll take it with them as they age. If young drivers don’t drink right from the start, then it’s reasonable to believe it will become second nature.
But this legislation offers an opportunity to go after those who already drive after drinking and put our lives at risk.
This isn’t a rule that needs to be grandfathered. Make the change.
Yet what’s being proposed isn’t perfect.
The legislation limits drivers between 16 and 19 to having only one teenage passenger in the vehicle, although the rule doesn’t apply to immediate family members.
Where’s the logic in this?
Everyone, including the province itself, is working to get cars off our roads, but Mr. McGuinty is, in essence, legislating against carpooling.
This puts more half-empty cars out there and more cars on the road increases the chances for more impaired drivers.