Drunk Driving: Ontario Proposes Lifetime License Suspension

A Canadian province wants to impose heavy consequences on drunk drivers who cause fatal crashes. One organization says this new regulation will require Quebec to act.

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The decision will reduce the number of fatal alcohol-related collisions in Ontario.

It’s a choice hailed by the group MADD Montreal (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” in French). “We are very happy,” underlines their spokeswoman Theresa-Anne Kramer, LCN.

The organization has long called for a deal on more sanctions. One of them concerns the ignition interlock, an electronic device that prevents the vehicle from starting when it detects the presence of alcohol in the driver’s system.

Drunk driving defendants have used this concept to exonerate themselves in cases of equipment failure.

A model for Quebec to follow?

Ms. Kramer reiterates that Quebec should follow a similar course of action. “We have been campaigning for a long time that it should be the same for all other provinces, i.e. administrative sanctions of 0.05%. [de taux d’alcool dans le sang]”, she explains.

In British Columbia, for example, the number of fatal accidents has dropped by 50% since the new rate was introduced, according to a spokesperson.

Quebec is the only province to keep its maximum rate at 0.08%. The government rejected the proposal in February 2024.

A disappointing result for the MADD Montreal team. “We see it working all over the world, just like in Germany,” emphasizes Ms. Kramer. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05.

“Why don’t we do it for Quebec? What’s the problem? That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, you just have to plan ahead when you get home. Everyone will be safe and we will reduce the death toll,” he says.

Watch the full interview in the video above.