Canada among worst-offending countries for alcohol-related deaths on the road
Posted July 12, 2016 7:18 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The CEO of the Canadian chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says it’s not surprising.
A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concludes that Canada is in worse shape than 19 other wealthy nations when it comes to alcohol-related deaths on the roads. That includes our neighbours to the south.
The CDC study finds the proportion of deaths linked to alcohol impairment in Canada was 34 per cent, coming out ahead of countries like the US, France, and Australia.
“We have for decades ignored the best practices that are available worldwide. And the only surprise is that we have now fallen below the US, which for years, had been the worst,” says MADD Canada CEO Murie.
“Canada and the US have lagged behind European Union countries and Australia for decades. This is a great study to prove that the federal government needs to act. That data has been there for years it’s just that the CDC study showed it in a different way, which is a very good way to bring attention to it.”
Murie says adopting the practices of some of those EU countries would have a major impact.
“Like mandatory [roadside] testing and lower BAE (blood alcohol) levels. I think that will make a fundamental difference in Canada.”
Murie points to Bill C-226, which is working its way through Parliament, as a sign the country is at least contemplating adopting some tough penalties when it comes to drinking and driving.
