MADD mad about Wildrose Party campaign
Posted Mar 3, 2012 10:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, is upset about a campaign the Wildrose Party has launched with a spring election in the offing.
Targeting a hot button issue, the Wildrose is distributing coasters to bars urging patrons to reject Premier Alison Redford’s new impaired driving law.
On one side of the coaster is the message repeal the .05 law. On the other side of the coaster, the words: “Say no to Alison Redford.”
MADD Canada President Denise Dubyk accuses the Wildrose of putting politics ahead of public safety, and claims the number of fatalities — thanks to drivers with a blood alcohol level over .05, but less than .08 — is significant.
“Since 1998, we’ve lost 300 people in Alberta to people that” (were) “under” (the) “.08 blood alcohol limit,” Dubyk tells 660News. “That means there are 21 people a year that haven’t come home.”
“I know this is misinformation out there about the number of fatalities” (between .05 and .08), Dubyk continues. “We’re hearing 1%. That is misinformation. What they’re talking about there is dead alcohol positive drivers. What about the passengers? What about the people that are hit on the side of the road?”
According to the Calgary Herald, alcohol-related fatalities in the province have actually been decreasing but still accounted for a significant portion of the 351 traffic deaths in 2010.
Under the new law, anyone caught blowing between .05 and .08 will have their license suspended for 72 hours; have their vehicle impounded; and pay fines and fees totalling more than $600.
