On-trail or off ... zero tolerance is the message

MADD Canada
News Release

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In a united effort towards eliminating alcohol as a contributing factor in snowmobiling fatalities and injuries, the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations and MADD Canada announced today that they are joining forces for a National "Zero Tolerance" Awareness Day on January 13, 2008.

This second annual joint ride will be the anchor event of the International Snowmobile Safety Week which is held the second week of January every year.

Under the slogan, "Zero Tolerance I say until I am done for the Day" , the two not for profit associations are focusing their efforts to remind snowmobilers that 0.00% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level is the only acceptable number while operating a snowmobile. MADD Canada is appealing to its local chapters across Canada and to media to raise the serious issue of impaired snowmobiling. The CCSO is mobilizing its provincial and territorial associations to enlist participation from Canada's 868 snowmobile clubs.

"For several years, the CCSO has endorsed the position that a 0.08% BAC is not good enough while engaged in snowmobiling" advised CCSO Executive Director Dennis Burns. "Alcohol affects your judgment and your reflexes and our Zero Tolerance position calls for total abstinence from alcohol while operating a snowmobile until you are finished riding for the day. We challenge other motorized recreation organizations to adopt this Zero Tolerance approach".

MADD Canada Director of Programs, Wanda Kristensen agreed that the 0.00% approach is certainly the ideal target to aim for. MADD Canada is currently pursuing the federal government to lower the Criminal Code blood alcohol level from 0.08% to 0.05%. In addition, MADD Canada is pursuing the provincial governments to enact new legislation which will help to increase the powers and resources required for police forces to help eliminate drinking and driving across Canada.

"We don't need any needless deaths or injuries on the snow," agreed Burns and Kristensen. "So on National "Zero Tolerance" Awareness Day – January 13, we're saying have fun while snowmobiling this winter and drive sober."

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