Coffee Talk audio-

Here’s a sobering thought: impaired driving offences in Canada climbed last year for the third year in a row.

Statistics show that drivers between 19 and 21 years of age are one and a half times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a crash resulting in injury or death as a result of drinking and driving. Something the Saskatchewan government should take note of is how Ontario has just introduced tough age restrictions on drinking and driving. Effective last Sunday, everyone under 21 is now banned from consuming even one drop of alcohol before driving. Anyone caught with any amount of alcohol in their blood now face an immediate 24-hour licence suspension and a fine of up to $500. We should do the same thing here. Many young people are responsible drivers but many others are not. There is simply no substitute for the wisdom that comes with age and experience and I’m not just some middle-age guy trying to preach at the modern generation. When I was 19, I, too, was invincible and believed I was either a)sober enough, b) smart enough, c) lucky enough, or d) all the above to make it home and avoid the cops. I now realize that then, as now, I am, and was, none of the above. Alcohol and operating a motor vehicle do not mix and young drivers need tough laws to increase their chances of living to at least middle age.

That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.