Low level impaired driving

There was an interesting discussion in a driving forum I moderated on the internet.

The initiator of the discussion wondered why he was hassled by the police for impaired driving when his blood alcohol level was less than the legal limit of .08.

He felt a 24-hour prohibition was inappropriate when he "only” blew a warning. A warning reading on an approved screening device means a blood alcohol level of between .06 and .09.

The people who follow the philosophy that if you drink, don't drive and if you drive, don't drink are among the few who truly understand what is safe in my view.

I've always wondered why the law waits until a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05 or more before any action is taken. Impairment truly begins before that BAC level.

A number of years ago, the provincial government surveyed police with regard to traffic enforcement. At that time, I suggested there should be a ticket, much the same way as speeding is dealt with, for those who drink and drive.

• For zero to .02, or about the value of one drink, nothing would happen.

• Between .02 and .035, a fine comparable to the first level of a speeding ticket should be issued.

• For .035 to .05, you would see an increased fine.

• For .05 to .075 and .075 to .10 the range would be completed.

• Levels 3 and 4 would also include a prohibition.

To some extent, this has been implemented, with the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program for the higher levels.

I've always thought it strange a driver travelling 20 km/h over the speed limit receives a ticket if caught and a driver with a BAC lower than .06 is told to drive carefully and allowed to continue on their way.

There is no doubt in my mind the driver with that BAC is more dangerous than the driver with the slightly heavy foot.

B.C.'s impaired driving rules have slowly become more restrictive since then, but other contrasts exist.

Health legislation requires a smoker to keep away from me, but it's still all right to have a drink or two and get behind the wheel where you could kill me instantly.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.