The Canadian government will allow police to give drivers random breathalyser tests on the road if a proposed new law goes forward, CBC News reported Oct. 5.
Current legislation allows police to conduct breathalyser tests only if they have reasonable suspicion a driver has been drinking.
Other countries that have enacted similar changes to breathalyser policies found significant improvements to road safety. Drunk driving fatalities dropped 23 and 36 per cent in Ireland and Australia, respectively, after legislation came into effect.
Civil libertarians and others argue the proposed law would violate the right to protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
Based on the success of Ontario’s RIDE programs, the proposed legislation allowing for random breathalysers would be an intelligent step towards curbing a devastating problem. Pulling even one drunk driver off the roads would make the new law worthwhile, because this represents saving lives.
The minor embarrassment or delay associated with being pulled over for a spot check shouldn’t pose problems for sober Canadian drivers who have nothing to hide. The small inconvenience of being subjected to a random breathalyser test is far less important than preventing the fatalities that occur as a result of drunk drivers’ foolish choices.
Although slightly more intrusive than RIDE programs, random breathalyser tests are likely to be more effective at catching drunk drivers on the roads as well as deterring those who shouldn’t be driving from getting behind the wheel.
Positive results in other countries are encouraging, too. Thirty-six per cent is a meaningful figure when we consider how many saved lives it represents.
Driving is a privilege, and a dangerous one. In inebriated hands, cars can easily turn into weapons and it’s only right to reduce the harm they may cause.
It’s unfortunate an intrusive law is required to help people make the choice not to drink and drive. Ideally, the government shouldn’t need to scare citizens into making good decisions.
But as long as drunk drivers are on the roads, coming down hard on them is justified. For the danger they pose to society, their actions merit no sympathy. The proposed measure to reduce the harm they cause is commendable.
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