Seven years after losing their daughter in a traffic accident at the hands of a drunk driver, Antoine Bittar and Elizabeth Rivera are struggling to explain why the CAQ this week rejected a proposal to raise the driving alcohol limit to 0.05 reduce.
• Also read: Drunk driving: Geneviève Guilbault will maintain the score of 0.08 despite the recommendations of experts
• Also read: Quebecers want the drink-driving limit lowered, according to several polls
• Also read: Impaired driving: Does the government have the “courage to lower the limit”?
The couple has been battling drunk driving for several years. If only Jessica's parents had hoped that representatives would vote individually instead of following the party line.
However, the CAQ's elected representatives voted against the motion as a whole.
“We were not very surprised because we had been warned that it would be a tough fight,” said Antoine Bittar in an interview with LCN.
“We don’t understand. This is an easy-to-implement measure to save lives. The numbers are there,” he added.
His wife also believes the government should do more to reduce the number of fatal accidents caused by drunk driving.
“The government says we already have very strict measures in place… Forgive me for being skeptical, but I don't think that's the case.” There is now a breathalyzer test after an offense, but only afterwards. We ask about the 'before,'” Elizabeth Rivera announces.
“We talk about bars and restaurants, but I tell myself it’s at a cost.” […] lives,” she adds.
For the pair, the limit of 0.08 is simply not enough.
“Our argument is: It doesn't work because we still have 85 deaths a year.” And that will reduce it to 50% […] I don’t think the government has plausible and valid reasons,” says Antoine Bittar.