~ Boom Truck Services ~ Crane Services ~ Tractors & Floats ~ Electrical Line Truck ~ Telescopic Fork Lift ~ Office Trailer & Supplies Rental ~ Heavy Equipment Mechanic ~ Certified Operators ~ Marina Containers ~ Small Equipment Rentals Including Air Compressors, Scaffolding, Electric Tools, Air Tools, Generators & Welding Machines Message from the Premier On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I congratulate the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Association on the publication of its 18th Annual Community Guide. This year’s guide brings attention to the devastating effects of driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Increased enforcement, enhanced through more than 120 new officers, and an emphasis on standard field sobriety testing has been central in our efforts to address impaired driving. These efforts are complimented by the work of newly appointed Drug Awareness Officers as well as the RNC’s participation in the D.A.R.E program as officers conduct drug and alcohol awareness education with junior high school students. These initiatives are important tools in raising awareness among our young people about the dangers of alcohol and drugs, especially the effects on their ability to drive. While impaired driving is still a serious problem that brings untold grief and hardship to far too many of our families every year, I am confident that through the collaborative efforts of the provincial government, the RNC and concerned members of the community, we are making progress to bring an end to alcohol and drug impaired driving. Sincerely, DANNY WILLIAMS, Q.C. Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador www.rnca.ca 1 Compliments of Atlantic Insurance Company Limited 64 Commonwealth Ave. Mt. Pearl, Newfoundland 364-5209 Proud To Support The RNCA In Their Campaign Against Drinking and Driving www.rnca.ca 2 PRESIDENT’S m e s s a g e It is with great pleasure that I bring best wishes to the members of our community in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association’s 18th Annual Community Guide. Thank you to the many sponsors and supporters of the RNCA. It is your unwavering support that allows us to continue to put forward important messages through the Guide as well as support many worthwhile causes in our province. The theme of this year’s Guide deals with the ever-present subject of drinking and driving. While great strides have been made to educate people on the consequences of these actions, we must be vigilant to ensure that this message is first and foremost in the minds of drivers, especially the new generation of drivers that join our roads annually. We want to reinforce the message to everyone as we enter the peak driving season, one bad decision could affect you and many others for the rest of your life. We hope that the theme this year will once again raise the level of awareness throughout the province. Enjoy your summer with friends and family; don’t let this summer be remembered for the wrong reasons. Through the support generated by this Guide, the RNCA is pleased to be able to continue to support activities throughout our community such as MADD, DARE, The Kidney Foundation, Seniors Resource Center, Crime Stoppers, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, Daffodil Place, and many other community based programs. Thank you once again for your continued support. The RNCA represents the non-commissioned members of the RNC, which include the ranks of Constables, Sergeants and Staff Sergeants. We are very proud to be active members of the communities we police. Have a safe and happy summer! Sincerely, Todd Barron President RNC Association www.rnca.ca 3 Message from the Minister of Health and Community Services As the Minister of Health and Community Services, the health and well-being of our province’s residents is my top priority. One serious concern for our government is impaired driving, which continues to be a problem both in our province and across Canada. It is an unfortunate reality that many lives have been lost or seriously impacted due to impaired driving. In an average year, 10 people are killed in Newfoundland and Labrador because of impaired driving and even more suffer the consequences with a life altered forever. What is even more tragic is how needless and preventable such occurrences are. Impaired driving is more than drinking and driving. An individual can be an impaired driver with the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs which affect the ability to concentrate or stay awake. Illicit drugs and even fatigue can also impair driving abilities. Our government is committed to working with community partners to prevent drinking and driving. Through our investments in Mental Health and Addictions, we have strengthened our community-based treatment and intervention services to effectively meet the needs of each individual. In addition, our province has programs in place to deter impaired driving such as the ignition interlock program and increased suspension periods. As well, our province-wide campaign, “You are in Control” is in place to remind drivers that most vehicular accidents are preventable by driving responsibly. Everyone has a choice. If you choose to drink, choose not to drive. There are alternatives. Designate a driver, take a taxi or arrange to have someone pick you up. And don’t allow anyone you know who’s been drinking to drive. You may save his or her life or the lives of others. Hon. Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors www.rnca.ca 4 TABLE OF c o n t e n t s RNCA 18th Annual Community Guide IMPAIRED DRIVING Message from the Premier . .1 Message from the RNCA President . .3 Message from the Minister of Health and Community Services . .4 RNCA Executive Members . .7 Message from the Publisher . .9 IMPAIRED DRIVING INFORMATION Why Have Impaired Driving Charges Dropped? . .11 Drunk Driving – Progress and Problems . .13 Groundbreaking Research on DUI Offenders . .17 Blood Alcohol Limits: Canada and the World . .19 Low-BAC Drivers and the Law . .23 Would a Lower Criminal BAC Save Lives? . .29 Alcohol-Crash Stats . .31 How Pot Affects Driving . .33 If Youʼve Been Drinking, You Do Have Options . .35 A Hard Nut to Crack . .37 Ignition Interlock – Incentive or Punishment . .41 Drugs and the Older Driver . .43 Crime, Punishment and Safety . .47 MADD: Youth and Impaired Driving in Canada: Opportunities for Progress . .53 MADD: Rating the Provinces and Territories . .59 The Responsible Host . .67 Drunk Driving Quiz – Do you Know the Facts about Impaired Driving? . .69 Answers: Facts about Impaired Driving . .71 About MADD . .73 Impaired Driving – The Facts – That Was an Expensive Drink! . .83 RNCA News & Photo Album Donations to the Community: Detective Sgt. Fraize Scholarship . .101 Big Brothers Big Sisters . .85 Crime Stoppers Police Officer of the Year NL Law Enforcement Torch Run . .87 Award – 2008 . .103 Motorcycle Ride for Dad . .87 NL Police and Peace Officersʼ Memorial Sgt. Geoff Walsh Memorial Baseball Association Parade . .105 Tournament . .89 Canadian Police Association – Lobby Day . .107 William Moss Memorial Softball Tournament . .91 RNCA Awards of Excellence . .109 St. Gerardʼs Basketball Tournament – Corner Memorial Day Parade . .111 Brook . .91 Annual Charity Benefit Hockey Game – Halloween Pumpkin Patrol . .93 St. Johnʼs . .113 Seniorsʼ 2008 Christmas Party – St. Johnʼs . .95 The Rusty Cup Charity Hockey Game – Corner Seniorsʼ 2008 Christmas Party – Corner Brook . .99 Brook . .115 www.rnca.ca 5 When they learn from the experts, kids get into safety. Knowledge is everything – especially when it comes to safety. That’s why your local Tim Hortons supports programs that teach our kids valuable safety lessons. They learn from the experts – and find out who their friends are. www.rnca.ca 6 EXECUTIVE Todd Barron President Kenny Jackson Joe Smyth Paul Davis Kerry Chaytor 1st Vice President Treasurer Secretary Business Manager Albert Gibbons Roger Devereaux Mike Kavanagh Bill Fitzgerald Director, Support Services Director, Platoon A Director, Platoon C Director, Labrador Sean Ennis Glenn Cunningham 2nd Vice President Director, Platoon B Sandy Harvey Neil Duggan Director, CID Director, Platoon D Glenn Green Sue Bill Director, Corner Brook Director, NCOS www.rnca.ca 7 DIE TRAC TECHNICAL INSTITUTE 82 Premier Drive, P.O. Box 970, Lewisporte, NL A0G 3A0 Telephone: 1-709-535-0550 Toll Free: 1-888-332-5555 Fax: 1-709-535-6101 E-mail: [email protected] Let the Maximum Protection right people at Minimum Cost. keep an eye on the wrong people. 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With their generous support of our annual campaign, our Provincial Police Association is able to give back to their communities through donations to various local charities and youth-oriented programs, in an effort to keep our youth from experiencing the negative effects of many of the topics discussed in these annual guides. On behalf of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every contributor to our 2008 Telephone Appeal, which allowed us to publish this Crime Prevention Guide.