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Bill 26.
As all of you know, the Province has legislated a new Bill for Impaired Driving. No one can argue that impaired driving and the possible consequences have had a profound effect on society over the last 20 or 30 years. With the population explosion in the Province, the average earning wage high, and with the privatization of liquor distribution in the Province, drinking and driving accidents and deaths have risen dramatically over the last three decades.
Alberta, like every other jurisdiction in the country, except Quebec, already gives at least 24-hour roadside suspensions to drivers suspected of being impaired or having .05 to .08 blood alcohol.
Bill 26 was introduced by the Redford lead PC Government based on experience in B.C. that has shown a decrease in Drink and Driving related accidents since implemented a year ago. Alberta is the 9th jurisdiction to pass laws imposing tougher sanctions for drivers with blood alcohol between .05 and .08 (Saskatchewan starts at .04).
22% of drivers involved in fatal collisions in Alberta in 2010 had consumed alcohol before the crash. In 2010, 96 people died and 1,384 were injured in alcohol-related collisions in Alberta. Impaired driving charges take up an estimated 40% of all trial time of Crown Prosecutors in Alberta's courts.
What's new under Bill 26 for drivers with a blood alcohol content of .05 up to .08..
- 1st offence - 3-day license suspension and 3-day vehicle seizure.
- 2nd offence - 15-day license suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, "Planning Ahead" course.
- 3rd offence - 30-day license suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, "Impact" course.
It is understandable why the government wants tougher drinking and driving laws. Within our industry there is a fear that it will effect the bottom line of the Restaurant, Pub/Bar, and liquor sales and distribution business with a profound negative effect. Only time will tell, if Bill 26 will have the feared effects on the industry. As with the smoking ban, there was a hit to the food and beverage industry, but with time it appears that the industry has recovered.
What Bill 26 has done though, is raise the awareness of impaired driving and has us all thinking of how much we really can drink before operating a motor vehicle. Of course I stand on the "Please don't drink and drive" side of the debate. But I too find myself getting in my car with a couple of glasses of wine drank over a couple of hours and wonder, where do I stand? Am I impaired? Am I at the legal limit? Should I be driving?
According to the law, I can drive my car with a blood alcohol level of up to .05 without consequence. For me, with my body mass, and time of day the drinks are consumed, the food eaten at the time, I can have approximately 3 drinks over a 3 hour period and that's it! beyond that I am treading on thin ice. But with even that amount in my system, I already know that I have some impairment and really need to think twice or three times on driving. But that's just me. How about you?
Today's feature product is a device that I have introduced to retail wine shops and liquor stores that helps you make that decision. A Breath Sampler, is a educational tool to help you determine your tolerance. The sampler is accurate to .01% and can be used a unlimited amount of times.
Digital Breath Alcohol Tester
Features:
Digital display alcohol tester
High accuracy
Two units display: %BAC & g/l
Auto power off
Low battery indicate
Use 2 x"AAA" Alkaline batteries (not included)
Retailer wholesale cost $12.00 Package of 12
Suggested Retail $24.99
Discounts for larger amounts applies, please contact.
The unit is designed to be used as a aid to promote reasonable driving. It should not be used in anticipation of the use or operation of vehicles, machinery, or equipment. The unit makes no references whatsoever to blood alcohol content or other such measures of intoxication promulgated by government, medical or other agencies or bodies. The result of this alcohol tester gives BAC for reference only, manufacture and distributor does not take any legal responsibility. Each individuals body responds differently to alcohol. A person may become legally impaired to drive at point below the legal blood alcohol limit.
Please contact us if you would like these units for your store. They have been selling great and are a hot item right now. We do not sell direct at this time, if you are a Restaurant or Bar and want them for your staff, we will provide the name of a local retailer in your area.
Cheers. Rome
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