The paper reviews the criminal and driving history of a sub-sample of 100 drivers drawn randomly from 879 drivers charged with an alcohol related driving offence in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1996. Many of the drivers had previous unsafe driving ranging from prior drinking and driving convictions to careless driving convictions and unsafe driving behaviours. Some of the drivers identified as first time offenders under the 1996 laws were actually repeat offenders. The data also suggest drivers with a BAC in excess of 120mg are more likely to be convicted of a drinking and driving related criminal offence. The data also suggest that some improvement is required in communicating charges and convictions to both the criminal and transportation databases so that complete, up to date records are ensured resulting in the appropriate treatment and sanctioning of convicted drivers. More analysis of a similar 1998 file will be required to further assess some of these issues and monitor changes in the criminal law and related provincial laws in the intervening time period.
Samenvatting