Personally, I think ignition interlocks should be standard on all vehicles. Random breath testing should be allowed, awareness of the dangers of drink driving should be advertised more (not just at christmas). I think a lot of people drink and drive because they think they can get away with it, and to be honest I think most of them do, until its too late. My grandad used to do it all the time, not paraletic drunk or anything but certainly over the limit to whereby his driving would have been impaired. Luckily he never injured himself, anyone else and luckily for him, he was never caught.
Mack, it's a good moral standpoint, but ignition interlocks on ALL vehicles is not feesable. For one, they cannot be fitted on motorcycles. I will be convicted soon, and will have to wait at least two years before I can feel the freedom of riding on the road. Here in ontario, it is a one year driving prohibition, and then that is followed by a year of ignition interlock.
I feel my punishment is just, as a first time offender, and am not complaining at all about it. But if zero tolerance was introduced, along with ignition interlocks on all vehicles, wouldn't that be punishing the law abiding people for the mistakes of the ones who truly do abuse the system?
I've learned my lesson, but I would also say that life should eventually return to normal, people make mistakes. Under the current laws, people are being branded criminals if they are 0.081. It is fair and just in my opinion, do the crime, do the time, but EVERYONE deserves a second chance, otherwise people would continue to offend, social stigma permitting.
The 0.08 legal limit is there so that a defence in court can be formed, because under law, everyone is entitled to some sort of defence, otherwise our very human rights would be violated. I am not defending drink driving at all, I am simply stating that every single case heard in court is different.
Alcohol is a legal drug, this is why we have this debate raging right now.
Also, here in Ontario, there is a law in place stating zero tolerance for new drivers. Also, for a second offence on a full liscence, 30 days jail, and 3 year driving prohibition, and for a 3rd, 10 years to life driving ban, along with a 90 stint in jail. For a fourth? Lifetime ban.
However, after 5 years, a pardon can be granted as you can be deemed rehabilitated, thus reoffending a second time would count as a first for example.
Canada also has put in place a law that states that no one can enter Canada with a DUI conviction, period.
The laws here are the strictest in North America, but for a first time offender, the penalties are harsh enough to really make you think.
When Charged, I was in utter shock, (no buses here!), but now that I've had time to really think about all this, I think Canada have the right idea.
Interlocks are $1500 about 750 quid to fit into the starter system, and cost over $100 a month to maintain, so $2700 a year to operate.
If they came standard on vehicles, how would the average person be able to afford to drive? Bearing in mind that in south western Ontario, driving is just about the only transport available!
I certainly will never be drinking and driving, ever again, and if I have kids, I have the story to tell them, along with the paperwork of one of the hardest and scariest times of my life to show them.
But if they choose to do it, without my knowledge, how can I stop them?
I can't, the police will have to catch them, and give them the kick up the arse they need.
As far as I'm concerned, the police here are doing a fantastic job combatting drink driving, and I was one that was caught.