Drunk-driving legislation raises concerns
Importance of due process, undue financial hardships on poor people, actual deterrent effects and true impact on court dockets all need to be eyed closely, say lawyers, legislators
New proposed provincial legislation to address impaired driving could be beneficial, but it might not be as effective as the government hopes, say legal and political professionals.
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin introduced proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act in the New Brunswick legislature Tuesday, intended to give police officers the discretion to route such matters through an administrative process rather than through the courts for criminal prosecution.
The amendments bring with them stiffer financial penalties and more immediate and lasting sanctions designed to keep offending drivers off the road, thereby making them safer.
Austin said another aim of the proposed legislation is to ease the burden such cases have on New Brunswick’s provincial courts, making dockets less clogged and court scheduling more efficient.
Legal practitioners in the justice system and political players who will vote on the legislation all agree efforts to deal with the dangers of drunk drivers are vital, but how they’re achieved have to be scrutinized carefully.