Madam Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility,
It’s 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 following a collision caused by a person driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs. No words can ever describe the pain, distress and despair that have filled and changed our lives and those of our loved ones. Jessica was the eldest of three children, and our only daughter.
She had her future stolen. Rather than walk down the aisle with her for her wedding, I could only walk alongside her for her cremation.
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In this national week for the prevention of impaired driving, we must remember that having a good time with friends and loved ones can be done safely, without putting your life and that of others in danger. 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 the family
Changes to be 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. We ask them not to drive while impaired and to choose a safe way to get home.
My dearest wish is that it emerges from the positive of Jessica’s death, as she would have wanted. In his memory and in those of the too many victims, it is possible to change things in Quebec. My wish would materialize as follows: that Quebec follow the example of the other provinces which have succeeded in lowering their number of deaths by applying administrative penalties for drivers from a blood alcohol level of 0.05.
I would like to distinguish here the administrative measures that come under the provinces from the penalties associated with the federal Criminal Code, which sets the limit at 0.08, and whose penalties (criminal record, prison, etc.) differ from the administrative penalties.
Provincial measures expected
Provincial measures would help raise awareness and prevent tragedies like the one we have experienced by giving the police the means to act (suspension of license, impoundment and fines). The other provinces that have implemented similar programs have seen the number of accidents, injuries and damages involving alcohol decrease significantly (between 40 and 52%). The and have recently published on this subject.
How can we justify that we remain the Canadian exception when this ruins the lives of hundreds of Quebecers every year? Although difficult, decision-makers, including you, can act immediately to prevent further tragedies. If you don’t, who will?
On behalf of all victims injured or killed by driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs, and on behalf of their families, we ask you to save lives! Let’s act together to avoid further unnecessary deaths.
Antoine Bittar and Elizabeth Rivera, Jessica’s parents