Driving Innovation Through Research Excellence - AUTO21

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Reducing Impaired Driving on Canadian Roads (3)
Research generated by the Anti-Social Behaviour and the Automobile (2001-2005) and Automobile-Linked Crime in
Canada projects has contributed to legislation introduced in the Canadian Senate in November 2005. The legislation
would create a new summary conviction for those driving vehicles with a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.5%.
Empirical evidence suggests the legislation would likely reduce impaired driving, injuries and deaths in Canada. The
legislation also includes unique ticketing provisions that would allow the accused to plead guilty without going to court,
and the eventual elimination of the offence from the offender’s criminal record if no further impaired driving offences
occurred within two years of the conviction. With a strong interest in impaired driving research, Dr. Robert Solomon of
the University of Western Ontario was a key contributor to both projects. Anti-Social Behaviour and the Automobile is a
formerly funded AUTO21 project. The Automobile-Linked Crime in Canada project is led by Dr. Rick Linden of the
University of Manitoba and Dr. Robert Mann and Dr. Reg Smart of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
AUTO21 Annual Report 2005-2006