Oakville, Ontario - In a new study on the use of alcohol ignition interlocks in Canada, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada has called on provincial and territorial governments to introduce mandatory programs using the devices. In a statement, the group said that the provinces and territories “all have poor grades for failing to establish mandatory alcohol ignition interlock programs for those convicted of impaired driving.”

In its comprehensive review of the programs, MADD said that Alberta topped the class with a grade of C+, closely followed by Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba, also with C+. The Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which currently do not have alcohol ignition interlock programs, were lowest with grades of F.

“We want to see mandatory alcohol interlocks for all convicted impaired drivers,” said Margaret Miller, MADD Canada National President. “There is no reason why the provinces and territories are not fully using this technology. Alcohol ignition interlocks are behaviour-altering, life-saving, proven technology that can keep sober drivers safe from drinking drivers. We’ve published this study to prompt our provinces and territories to introduce better alcohol interlock programs, which will provide safer roads for all Canadians. No jurisdiction that has an alcohol interlock program should be pleased with their rating.”

Robert Solomon, the study’s co-author, said that the latest statistics show about 60,000 Canadians are charged with impaired driving in Canada each year, but there are only approximately 11,000 Canadians with alcohol interlocks on their vehicles. “This is an unacceptable gap for a program, given that alcohol interlocks are a proven technology, protecting the Canadian public from those who choose to drink, drive and kill or injure innocent victims.”

The study can be found at MADD Canada.