II) Impaired Driving Issues

1) Education and Prevention

Research studies have shown that significant impairment of driving ability begins at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .05 and that the risk of a fatal collision increases rapidly as the BAC level increases. Driver impairment caused by taking drugs or by driver fatigue is also a serious concern. A key factor in the prevention of impaired driving is increasing awareness of the dangers of combining drinking/drugs/fatigue with driving and the need to develop alternate transportation plans if planned activities could result in impairment. Driver education and training programs include an impaired driving component in their curriculum and both governmental and non-governmental agencies have invested considerable resources in public awareness campaigns. They have also promoted designated driver programs in co-operation with businesses that serve alcohol and seasonal programs such as Operation Red Nose. The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission provides voluntary training programs for servers in the restaurant and hotel industry to enable them to identify and deal with intoxicated persons and also provides information and presentations about the responsibilities of private party hosts.

Issues for consideration

1. What more, if anything, can be done to educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving?

    

    

2. What else, if anything, can be done to educate the public to develop alternative transportation plans for social functions to avoid the potential for impaired driving situations?

    

    

3. What else, if anything, can be done to improve designated driver programs and incentives to encourage responsible driving?

    

    

4. What do you think about making education programs for alcohol servers mandatory?

    

    

5. What else, if anything, can be done to educate the public about private party hosting responsibilities?

    

    

6. What other initiatives can be undertaken to educate the public and prevent impaired driving?

    

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