Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility,
It has been 6 years since my wife Elizabeth and I experienced a parent’s worst nightmare. On March 20, 2017, our 26-year-old daughter Jessica died after a collision caused by an alcohol and drug abuser. No words can ever describe the pain, hardship and despair that has filled and transformed our lives and those of our loved ones. Jessica was the eldest of three children and our only daughter.
Her future has been stolen from her. Instead of walking down the aisle with her for her wedding, I was only able to walk beside her for her cremation.
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During this national Driver Impairment Prevention Week, we must remember that it is safe to have quality time with friends and loved ones without endangering your life and that of others. There are many alternatives: taxi, relatives, friends, designated driver, etc. Ruining a family’s life for a bad decision must now be a thing of the past.
Photo provided by family
changes are made
I can’t change the past but I can change the future and I need you. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not asking people to stop using it. We ask you not to drive if you are impaired and to choose a safe way to get home.
My dearest wish is that the positive of Jessica’s death will come out as she would have wished. In his memory and in that of the many victims, it is possible to change things in Quebec. My wish would come true as follows: that Quebec follows the example of the other provinces that have managed to reduce their number of deaths by imposing administrative penalties on drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 or more.
I would like to distinguish here the administrative measures of the federal states from the penalties of the Federal Penal Code, which sets the limit at 0.08 and whose penalties (criminal record, prison, etc.) deviate from the administrative penalties.
Provincial measures expected
Provincial action would help raise awareness and prevent tragedies like the ones we’ve witnessed by giving police the tools to act (suspension of license, confiscation and fines). In the other provinces that have implemented similar programs, the number of accidents, injuries and damages related to alcohol has decreased significantly (between 40 and 52%). The Canadian Center on Addiction and Substance Use and the Quebec Public Health Association recently published on the subject.
How can we justify remaining the Canadian exception when it ruins the lives of hundreds of Quebecers every year? Though difficult, decision makers, including you, can take immediate action to prevent further tragedy. If not, then who?
On behalf of all victims injured or killed by drink and drug driving and on behalf of their families, we ask you to save lives! Let’s act together to prevent more unnecessary deaths.
Antoine Bittar and Elizabeth Rivera, Jessica’s parents