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February 2, 1996
(Works, Services and Transportation)


Drinking and driving statistics continue to decrease


John Efford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, announced today that statistics related to drinking and driving are very encouraging since the introduction of new provincial legislation on December 30, 1994. This legislation included a 24-hour licence suspension for drivers who register a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reading of 50mg per cent or greater on an approved roadside screening device, and stricter driver's licence suspensions for Criminal Code of Canada convictions for exceeding the 80mg per cent limit.

Mr. Efford said: "Our 1995 statistics illustrate a significant decrease in drinking and driving in Newfoundland and Labrador as compared to 1994."

Province-wide impaired driving statistics provided by the RNC and RCMP show decreases in the number of people charged under the Criminal Code's 80mg per cent BAC. More specifically, there were 2,243 charges in 1994 as compared to 1,885 charges in 1995. This means 358 fewer charges or a 16 per cent decrease.

Mr. Efford said: "This is a good indicator that the lower 50mg per cent law has had a justifiable and positive effect on the higher 80mg per cent level."

Another promising statistic associated with the stricter drinking and driving laws has seen the number of alcohol-related accidents decrease. For example, there were 82 such accidents in 1994 as compared to 61 for the same period in 1995; a 26 per cent decrease.

Mr. Efford said: "I think these numbers are very encouraging and best illustrate the importance of stronger drinking and driving legislation. Both police forces have commended us in taking a stand against impaired driving and in turn making the highways safer. In the past, police did not have the authority to take drivers off the road who registered a BAC between 80mg per cent and 110mg per cent due to a level of tolerance associated with the roadside screening device and breathalyzer. Police can now at least suspend a driver's licence for a 24-hour period with a 50mg per cent BAC or greater, thus removing individuals from the road who are seven times more likely to be in a collision than a sober person."

There have been 760 24-hour driver licence suspensions for BAC readings between 50mg per cent and 80mg per cent. When the 24-hour suspensions for readings in excess of 80mg per cent are included, the total number of such suspensions is 3,405.

The minister stressed that the resolve of government is to eliminate alcohol as a contributing factor in motor vehicle fatalities, injuries and property damage in our province and the continuous decrease in impaired driving statistics proves that the new tougher laws are working.

Contact: Ian Chaytor, Director of Public Relations, (709) 729- 1968.

1996 02 02 11:35 a.m.

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