If the Ontario government was as serious about stopping drinking and driving as it says it is, it would extend its new ban on drinking before driving from young people to the entire population.
The rationale behind the new law that says drivers 21 and under must maintain a blood-alcohol level of zero is that that age group has by far the most incidents of drinking and driving.
On the surface it seems to make sense.
So too does the reason floated by the government that it's a good idea for young people to start out driving with an alcohol ban, so not drinking will tend to become a habit for them later in life.
It's a nice thought, but highly unrealistic, given the culture we've created that links alcohol - even in moderation - to "good times" at any and all adult activities.
But the same kinds of arguments could be made for any age group. A certain percentage of drinking and driving incidents must be caused by people in the 35-45 age group, so let's institute a zero-blood-alcohol level for them, too. If they get used to never drinking anything at all before driving, when they turn 46 and restrictions are loosened, they'll think twice before taking a few drinks before getting behind the wheel. Right?
Taking that argument to its natural extension, why not institute a zero-blood-alcohol level for ALL drivers, regardless of age?
Given the statistics of alcohol-caused accidents, the tragedy and despair drunk driving causes, the cost in lives wrecked, why would anyone in their right mind want to drink and drive? Why would anyone want to risk being impaired even in the slightest, by having even one drink before they get behind the wheel?
Oh but can you imagine the outcry if the province tried to implement that? First from the restaurant and entertainment industry, then from responsible adults who've never driven impaired in their lives.
McGuinty can get away with hitting young people with restrictive legislation no adult would ever stand for, because age discrimination is so ingrained in our society, especially age discrimination against the young, that we hardly notice it.
It's also a great vote-getting measure. Not many 18-21-year-olds are even interested in politics, let alone Liberal supporters, and smacking young people with driving restrictions appeals to the middle-aged and older group that's making up more and more of the our aging population.
Don't forget, this is the government that thought cutting back liquor store hours would also curtail drinking and driving, as if the worst drunk drivers were those who presumably drank the alcohol they bought from late-night liquor stores on their way home from work.
We're not against restrictions on drinking and driving, but we wish the government would stop mixing its messages (as in the you're impaired at .08 but we're going to treat you like you're going to be at .05 legislation) and stop using the issue as a way to garner votes.
If McGuinty is really serious about stopping drinking and driving, and not just interested in picking on young people doe votes, he should do the unpopular thing and make it illegal for anyone, regardless of age, to have any alcohol in their system when driving.