MADD calls on leaders to make fighting impaired driving a priority

MADD Canada
News Release

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In letters to the national Party Leaders, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) made a plea for impaired driving to be a priority in the next Parliament.

The national grassroots group called for Parliamentarians to complete a Justice Committee review of the crime and to lead a national dialogue with provincial governments and stakeholders on effectively reducing impaired driving deaths and injuries.

"The Federal Government needs to focus their efforts on the number one criminal cause of death in our country," says Margaret Miller, MADD Canada's National President Canada. "The crime needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner to significantly reduce the incidents of impaired driving. Last Parliament saw many important steps taken in addressing problems experienced by our police and in the courts. But, there is a great deal that can still be done."

"MADD Canada is calling on all federally elected representatives to make fighting impaired driving a priority of the next Parliament," says Mrs. Miller.

MADD Canada's letters to Prime Minister Harper and the Opposition Leaders call for two specific demands.

· Complete a comprehensive review of Canada's impaired driving laws to determine the most effective countermeasures to drive down deaths and injuries. This work has been started by the Justice Committee and MADD Canada calls for the Justice Minister and Parliament to receive the Committee's report and pass any recommended legislation.

· Provide the framework for a national dialogue and lead a forum with provincial governments and national stakeholders on the most effective means to achieve lower incident rates of impaired driving deaths and injuries.

"We would like to see the next Federal Government actively pursue a comprehensive and focused approach to finding the best way to reduce the deaths and carnage on Canadian roads." says Mrs. Miller.

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's CEO, states that MADD volunteers across the country will be contacting candidates during the election campaign. "We want to ensure everyone understands that there is still some important work that can be accomplished. The federal government has a leadership role to play in assuring impaired driving is looked at from all perspectives."

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