IMPAIRED DRIVING SHOULD INCLUDE DRUGS

The federal government has introduced legislation to fight what it
says is a growing problem with drug impaired driving on Canadian streets.

Announcing the new legislation during the kickoff of the annual Red
Ribbon campaign sponsored by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving),
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the new legislation is needed to
improve safety for motorists, passengers and pedestrians alike.

"Our government recognises the need to target drug-impaired driving,"
said Harper. "We are prepared to take action to prevent future
drug-impaired incidents. The objective of the legislation is to avoid
reckless deaths and injuries to innocent people."

The new legislation includes increased penalties for drug-impaired
driving.

With all the increased traffic on Alberta roads these days, including
in Mountain View County, the last thing motorists want to be worried
about is some drug-induced driver adding yet another hazard to the
road.

While some people may argue that a pot-smoking person behind the wheel
is a far less likely to cause an accident than a drunk driver, any
impairment of driving ability is by its very nature a dangerous thing.

And anyone who believes a driver high on methamphetamine or crack
isn't just as dangerous as a drunk driver is fooling themselves.

There's no question that drunk driving continues to be an on ongoing
real and present danger on Alberta roads, with 19.2 per cent of all
fatalities last year being alcohol related. And while the new
anti-drug impaired driving law won't keep drunks off the road, it will
serve to heighten awareness of all forms of impaired driving.

The new anti-drug impairment law is part of an overall effort by the
Harper government to tackle crime - other efforts include imposing
stricter conditions on dangerous offenders, ending conditional
sentences for serious offenders, and cracking down on street racing.
With that in mind, maybe the Harper Tories should consider toughening
up Canada's drunk driving legislation, increasing fines and jail
penalties that have remained unchanged for years?

Anyone who follows the court news will be all too familiar with the
slap-on-the-wrist penalties routinely handed out to repeat drunk drivers.

Are a couple of weekends in jail and a one year driving suspension
really fitting penalties for drunk drivers who offend time and time
again?

Nevertheless, the government is taking the right step in closing
drug-driving loopholes.

"We hope to make drug-impaired driving as socially unacceptable as
drunk driving has become amongst adults and teens alike," said PM Harper.

Most Canadians hope so too, Mr. Harper.