Re: Drinking Age Lowest in Country, Nov 29. While many of Audrey Jensen’s statistics and arguments appear to be valid and properly referenced, there is one glaring error in her letter which may simply be an oversight, but may also be seen by some readers as disingenuous.
The website saferoads.com states: “From 2005 to 2009, on average each year, more than 115 people were killed and 1,800 people were injured in collisions involving at least one driver who had consumed alcohol prior to the crash.” This refers to Alberta.
Audrey writes: “The Calgary police service has stated that impaired driving is the leading cause of death in Alberta.”
The fact is that impaired driving is the leading “criminal” cause of death in Alberta and in Canada.
Anyone convicted of impaired driving by alcohol over .08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration) will be convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada and will have a criminal record. There are also laws for impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, impaired driving causing injury or death, failure to provide a breath or body fluid sample, and driving while suspended or disqualified. And let’s also remember care or control of a motor vehicle while impaired.
On the website cancer.ca, a research paper indicates that cigarette smoking causes about 30 per cent of cancer deaths in Canada. That’s about 6,200 in Alberta (2010 estimates) and 76,000 in Canada.
Impaired driving by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, distraction, inattention, carelessness or any other cause is an important societal issue that I believe we should all be very concerned about. Let’s strive to keep the message out there, but accurate and honest, too.
Kieran Lang
Red Deer