RANDOM TESTS ARE AN UNNECESSARY INCONVENIENCE:

Freedom infringed (The Ottawa Citizen, October 13, 2010)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is one of those rare organizations that has changed society for the good. In the 30 years since its founding, MADD has helped stigmatize drunk drinking and thereby save countless lives.

However, its latest campaign is misguided. MADD Canada wants the federal government to enact legislation that would allow police to conduct random breath testing.

It seems to be a popular idea. In 2009, a parliamentary committee recommended changing the law to allow such testing. Other countries already do it. An Ipsos Reid poll earlier this year, commissioned by MADD, found 77 per cent of Canadians supported the idea. Hundreds of deaths would be prevented, thousands of injuries avoided and billions in social costs saved, MADD speculates.

Just enact legislation requiring passive technology that locks the car ignition if the driver has been drinking.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 14, 2010 5:08 AM