Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
by CK May is the month of flowers not just in the Philippines but also here in Calgary. A lot of my neighbors have done their spring cleaning and unfortunately I cannot cope up with them. I remember that during this time of the year my husband, Hank gets busier day by day. He takes care [...]
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Page added on December 29, 2009

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Alcohol and Christmas – Drinking and Driving Don’t Mix

The holiday season is one of the deadliest times of the year for alcohol-related crashes. Holidays bring with them parties and gatherings, along with more opportunities than usual to drink alcohol with family and friends and also more opportunities to drink and drive!

Statistics:

· In 2008, 40-50% of ALL drivers killed on Canadian roads were impaired at the time of the accident.

· MADD estimated that each year nationally, more than 1,000 people typically die between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in drunk driving crashes.

· Half of all accidents on Canadian roads occur between 11:00pm and 3:00am (last orders).

· In North America it is estimated that 1 in 5 drivers has been drinking and 1 in 10 is impaired on a typical Friday and Saturday night.

· Young drivers aged 19 to 24 have the highest rates for impaired driving with a peak at age 21. Between 24 and 45 rates level off and are relatively constant, and above age 45 impaired driving rates drop off significantly.

· Impaired incidents are on a downward trend in Canada and are now 70% lower than the peak experienced in 1981.

Ironically, drinking and driving crashes are one of the most easily preventable catastrophes because drinking and driving is a choice each driver makes.

How the World Deals with Drunk Drivers:

· Canada: 1st offense for drunk driving is a fine around $600 to $1000. 2nd offense is 14 days in jail and loss of license for 2-years. 3rd offense is 3-weeks in jail and loss of license for 3-years.

In Ontario, a person convicted of a DUI must also complete an 8 month training course and install an ignition interlock device for a period of one year after the license suspension.

Additionally, foreigners with recent (in the past 5 years) drunk-driving criminal convictions are generally refused entry at the border.

· Australia: the names of the drivers are often sent to the newspapers and are printed under the heading, “He’s Drunk and in Jail”- fine up to $1000 and/or 6 months in jail; 3 month minimum loss of license.

· El Salvador: First offence is your last – you are shot by firing squad!

· Bulgaria: Second offence leads to execution.

· Russia: Drivers immediately lose their licenses for life.

· France: drinking and driving is punishable by the equivalent of a $1,000 fine, imprisonment for one year, and loss of license for three years

· Norway: 3 weeks in jail with hard labor and 1 yr loss of license. 2nd offense within 5 yrs the license is revoked for life.

· Finland and Sweden: Automatic jail for 1-year hard labour.

· Japan: fine up to 30,000 to 50,000 yen or 3 months – 2 years penal servitude (imprisonment with hard labour) or jail.

· South Africa: drinking and driving results in a ten-year prison sentence or the equivalent of a $10,000 fine and, in some cases, both.

· UK: Drivers are fined the equivalent of $250 fine and jailed for up to 1-year.

· Turkey: Police punish drunk drivers by taking them 10 to 20 miles outside of town and making them walk home with a police escort.

· Malaysia: the driver is jailed and if he is married, his wife is jailed too.

· Philippines: no limit

Tips to help see you through the festive season with your health and life intact:

· Try to alternate water or a soft drink with your alcoholic drinks, or try a non-alcoholic cocktail or beer for a change.

· Learn to say no and encourage your friends to be supportive. Nominate yourself as the designated driver if you wish to avoid alcohol.

· Encourage friends to drive you home.

· Remember that some beverages will contain more than one standard drink: take this into account when calculating your intake for the evening, particularly if you are driving.

· Try to eat a substantial meal to increase your tolerance if you are planning on drinking. Avoid eating too many salty party snack foods which will encourage you to drink more quickly.

· Remember that you may still be over the limit the next morning after a large drinking session.

The legal limit for driving in Canada is 80mg/100ml of blood (0.08%).

Useful Telephone Numbers:

1. Drivers Choice Designated Drivers 403 216 2630

2. Associated Cabs 403 299 1111

3. Blacktop Cabs 403 735 3222 / 403 730 9999

4. Checker Cabs 403 299 9999 / 403 974 1111

5. Mayfair Cabs 403 255 6555

Information on the above was from the compilation of

Mr. Peter Torrance

Alcohol and Christmas – Drinking and Driving Don’t Mix

pinoytimes.ca © 2009