Minister Warns Against Impaired Driving 

With the holiday season upon us, office parties and family events often involve alcohol consumption.  The Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Government Services, is warning people that if they drink, then they should not drive. 

�This is the time for celebration and most people will be enjoying themselves at events which celebrate Christmas and the New Year,� said Minister Whalen.  �Unfortunately, people sometimes do not make the same judgement about impaired driving as they would at other times of the year.  Quite simply, if you choose to drink, choose not to drive.  You are in control of that decision.  It could save your life or the life of someone else.� 

Recently, provincial RCMP released statistics which showed that, so far in 2006, there have been 21 fatal collisions in their jurisdictions, claiming 25 lives.  Fourteen of the 25 fatalities and 12 of the 21 collisions were associated with an impaired driver.  In fact, even when the RCMP considered speed as a factor, they found that the overriding cause was actually impaired driving. 

Minister Whalen also pointed out that impaired driving means more than drinking alcohol.  �We want people to realize that you can be an impaired driver if you are under the influence of illicit drugs, prescription drugs or using over-the-counter drugs which affect your ability to concentrate or stay awake.  Even fatigue can impair your driving.� 

Recently, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada released The 2006 Progress Report.  This report showed that Newfoundland and Labrador has made significant progress towards enacting effective impaired driving measures.  In three years, the province has moved from a D minus to a B minus.   

�The MADD progress report is certainly encouraging but it does show that we still have a lot of work to do to get the message out that impaired driving is unacceptable.  We are moving in the right direction but we still want to improve this grade in the next progress report.  It is our hope that, by partnering with the RCMP, RNC and Newfoundland and Labrador Safety Council in the recently launched YOU Are in Control traffic safety campaign, people will realize the dangers of impaired driving and other dangerous driving practices, and change their habits,� said the minister. 

 �I cannot stress enough how important it is to make the decision to not drive impaired and to make alternate arrangements,� noted Minister Whalen.  �Designate a driver, take a taxi or arrange to have someone pick you up, and if you know someone has been drinking, please do not let them get behind the wheel of their car.  We all have a part to play to keep this a safe holiday season.� 

- 30 - 

Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca