2023-08-19 04:00:00
In August 2022, same time, same post, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) road report reported 12 deaths on our road network during the construction holidays. In 2023, during these same holidays, 18 deaths occurred on the Quebec road network. For 2022 as a whole, the toll was the deadliest of the decade.
Each report reveals the causes of accidents, without however specifying the percentage by category. Among the most fatal causes, SQ evokes distraction, prohibited overtaking, speeding and impaired driving.
Alcohol level
As a consumer, it is impossible to guess his blood alcohol level. In 2021, Alco Prévention Canada carried out more than 30,000 tests at 300 office parties. Result: 35% of the tests exceeded the legal limit, and half of those who had exceeded it were not aware of it.
As long as there is an alcohol limit for driving, the risk of finding impaired drivers on the roads will persist. Despite the health risks associated with excessive consumption and despite the promotion of moderation, alcohol will remain a consumer product that is not destined to disappear.
Responsible Driving Canada is well aware of these findings and the solutions associated with them and proposes, in addition to driving, that a reliable blood alcohol measurement tool be made available to all drivers, in all contexts. .
Personal breathalyzers
But for many, the breathalyzer still evokes the image of the punishment imposed on offenders following an impaired arrest. Yes, but. There is a wide range of personal breathalyzers on the market, and despite the fact that it is estimated that more than 700,000 voluntary tests are carried out each year, these remain largely unknown to consumers.
Promotion and education are essential in order to integrate their use, and finally change habits. Recently, several researchers have looked at the quality of breathalyzers, even concluding that some are comparable to those used by the police. However, since their precision is not always equal or standardized, there is a need to conduct conclusive research, in the Quebec context, in order to make the equipment more efficient and better perceived by the population.
By promoting good breathalyzers, we will prevent consumers from using an unreliable tool and putting themselves in danger.
The Responsible Driving Canada Group also works to limit the obstacles that limit responsible driving. The post-pandemic decrease of almost 50% in the supply of escort services experienced by organizations is a good example of a brake, as is the need for volunteer labor for this type of service.
The false sense of security generated by the absence of reliable measurement tools should no longer be part of the equation in our road safety reports. As the state is responsible for both the sale of alcohol and road safety, it should also be responsible for making available the means for citizens to make informed choices. The right tools exist, it is time to drop our prejudices and use them.
Photo courtesy of Responsible Driving Canada.
Daniel Bedard, President of the Responsible Driving Group Canada and Executive Director of Tolerance Zero Capitale Nationale
Photo courtesy of Responsible Driving Canada.
Stephane Mrais, co-spokesperson for the Responsible Driving Group Canada and Executive Director of Alco Prévention Canada
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