Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/40418
working for you A Sobering Reality Why AMA is lobbying for tougher impaired-driving penalties by Caitlin Crawshaw In spite of the many social awareness campaigns, and plenty of social stigma, impaired drivers continue to take lives in Alberta. In 2010, more than 21 per cent of Alberta drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. While most Albertans understand the extent of the problem, they may not realize that the penalties sel- dom match the crime. In this province, most impaired driving charges are laid when a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is in the range of 0.13 to 0.15, even though the legal limit is currently 0.08. What's more, research shows that drivers with BACs in the 0.05 to 0.08 range are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers with a zero BAC. At the moment, those who are caught driving while above the legal BAC limit of 0.08, but whom police believe are unlikely to be convicted, are given non-criminal 24-hour suspensions. Since there are no consequences beyond the suspension, there's very little to motivate someone not to drive under the infl uence again. "We've reached a plateau in terms of our ability to affect this issue, so we need to try some different things," says Scott Wilson, senior policy analyst with AMA. AMA administers courses, on behalf of the Talking the Walk Taking pedestrian safety to the streets by Caitlin Crawshaw The kids are back to school and you're back to work, but your brain's still in vacation mode. While it can be tough to transition from lazy summer days, autumn means more drivers and pedestrians on the roadways, so it's more important than ever to stay alert. Consider this: between 2006 and 2008, 66 per cent of pedestrian deaths in Alberta involved a collision with a motor vehicle. Pedestrians are more vulnerable than they think, says Scott Wilson, a senior policy analyst with AMA. "People sometimes forget this. They may think, 'This is my piece of road, my crosswalk, and you can't come into it,'" he says. But that isn't always the case. Here's some good news: a little common sense can help prevent pedestrian collisions. iStock FOR PEDESTRIANS • Use designated crossing points, where drivers will know to expect people on foot. • Make eye contact with drivers. Be certain they are going to stop before you cross. • Nix distractions such as music and phone conversations. • Wear bright or refl ective clothing in inclement weather and at night. • Model safe street-crossing behaviour for others, especially kids. HARD TRUTHS ABOUT IMPAIRED DRIVING IN ALBERTA Impaired driving charges laid. Drivers 7x more likely to cause fatal crash than at 0 BAC. No penalty. { _ _ { .15 .13 .08 .05 BAC 0 { Possible 24-hour licence suspension. Legal limit. Unimpaired driver. province, for individuals charged with impaired driv- ing. Repeat offenders must examine how drugs and alcohol have affected their lives, and they receive a list of recommended actions after the course. AMA is lob- bying for a follow-up process to ensure these individu- als address their issues with alcohol and drugs. AMA is also advising the province to make other changes, such as penalties to accompany suspensions, and the creation of a tracking system to identify high- risk offenders earlier, as well as alcohol and drug screening for convicted offenders and those who have had a 24-hour suspension more than once. FOR DRIVERS • Yield to pedestrians at cross- walks (it's the law). • Scan all ways for pedestrians, especially at intersections. • Reduce your speed in residen- tial areas. • Stop for school buses with fl ashing lights. • Walk around your vehicle to look for small children before you get in. LEARN MORE Plan ahead and get home safely, without drinking and driving. Make it "none for the road." ama.ab.ca/community-and- ama/none-for-the-road WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2011 17