In... [British Columbia], if you blow .08 or beyond, you can avoid the justice system – and a criminal record – if you fit certain criteria. Conditions include not having killed or injured anyone or caused property damage as a result of your actions. If you qualify, you can opt for administrative sanctions over the courts.

If you choose this path, you have to go through a rehabilitation program, which could lead to treatment for alcohol abuse. When the person is given the right to drive again, it can only be in a car outfitted with an ignition interlock system, for a minimum of one year. The device prevents the car from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol level is above a certain limit.

“The focus is very much on rehabilitating the driver and not simply punishing him,” says Mr. Murie. “I don’t think just punishing drivers works.”

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Alcohol/Drinking • Law & Legal Issues • Teens / Youth • Travel • Young Adults • * International News & Commentary • Canada

1. Charles52 wrote: Interlocks are fine as long as the guy is driving his own car, or doesn’t get his sober buddy to blow in the interlock tube. There is certainly a class of drunks who will respond to this. True alcoholics, on the other hand, can be very manipulative, even when they are trying to become sober. August 30, 9:09 pm | [comment link]

2. Cennydd13 wrote: No matter what the laws say, habitual drunks are always going to find a way to drive, as most police officers will tell you.  Unfortunately, their unfortunate victims and the drunk drivers’ families will always suffer for their actions.  It’s not right, it’s not fair, but I don’t know of any way of stopping them from driving aside from partial lobotomy…....and that’s not going to hppen. August 31, 8:31 pm | [comment link]

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