Opinion Drinking and driving: The baf&ile isn’t over The incidence of impaired driving hasn’t changed on the Peninsula, despite a massive Counter Attack promotion campaign and sporadic police roadblocks. Both Peninsula police departments report that the Christ- mas Counter Attack program nailed several impaired drivers, even on New Year’s Eve when roadside checks are common and most people are responsible enough to arrange alterma- tive transportation home from the party. Sidney RCMP spent 114 person hours operating road- blocks from Dec. 11 to Jan. 2, checking the drivers of about 1,970 vehicles. A total of 13 drivers were subjected to roadside screening devices and two drivers were charged with impaired driving. As well, 15 drivers were given 24-hour licence suspensions for operating a vehicle while under the influence. “The fact that any people are still drinking and driving is alarming in view of the fact there is so much advertising by ICBC and people are so aware,” Sidney RCMP Set. Andy Rosequist said. “Anyone who thinks there is less impaired drivers on the road is mistaken.” Statistics are even more alarming in Central Saanich, especially considering that the municipal police force spent only 28 person hours on roadblocks. Deputy police Chief George Lawson said that six persons were charged with driving while impaired during the Christmas Counter Attack period, and about two-thirds of those registered extremely high readings on the breathalyzer. “Tt is alarming, especially in a time when the Counter Attack program is promoted so eloauently to the public.” Lawson said. Central Saanich police nailed one driver New Year’s Eve and another early on New Year’s Day — usually a time of high enforcement. Also in Central Saanich, 650 vehicles were checked, five 24-hour prohibitions were issued, 10 roadside screening tests were administered, four tests were followed by a demand for a breath sample and there was one injury accident involving an impaired driver “It just goes to show that the police have to be concemed,” Lawson said. But, Rosequist was careful to point out that most of the people who are drinking and driving aren’t first-time offenders. “The quote, ‘responsible’ people are more respon- sible with respect to drinking and driving,” he said. “People who didn’t have any regard for the law before still don’t have any regard for the law. “We're finding a considerable amount of repeat offen- ders.” The message is that drinking and driving is still prevalent. Some media reports leave the impression that society is winning the battle against drinking drivers. But just go to the courthouse on any criminal court day. It’s still the most common criminal charge being prose- cuted, demonstrating that people are being misled by Statistics from time to time. The fact is only a small percentage of impaired drivers are caught. And any impaired drivers on public roadways poses a threat to all of society. Letters to the editor on issues of concern to our readers are welcomed by The Review. All letters must be addressed to the editor and bear an original signature of the letter writer. Letters must contain the letter writer's street address and telephone number for verification purposes and not for publication. Letter should not exceed 300 words in length and may be edited for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. ™° Review Serving the Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 - First St. P.O. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C. V8L3C9 Sidney, B.C. V8L3S5 656-1151 Publisher: Rory McGrath Editor: Glenn Werkman Reporters: Valorie Lennox Advertising: Brian Wyatt Girard Hengen Corrie Morozoff Production Manager: Tamie Sargeant Office Manager: Lori Fitzpatrick Circulation Manager: Wendy Denison AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER SI CCNA 4 Ith BCYCNA CONTROLLED 5 “24 Se Sera * Se ees Passes 2s 2 ah. Aw SESE. £2 aR Set aetatwse Sa Volume 80 Issue No. 5 TheReview Wednesday, January 22,1992 — AG . i oy IT'S MY OWNER'S IDEA... SO NoT ONE WORD OUT OF You... NOT ONE WORD. . LAT Santa’s helpers Editor: For the past several years, I have walked up and down Beacon Ave- nue, called into stores and wished adults and children alike the mer- tiest of Christmases on Christmas Eve. I always have a bagful of goo- dies (usually chocolate money) which I hand out to the children. I know there are those who think I’m responsible for all things at Christmas — good, bad or other- wise — but I cannot take thanks for those particular goodies. I would like to publicly thank those persons responsible for such, namely Owen and Robert Lunn. I also happen to know their generos- ity goes beyond the Christmas season. Yours in merriment. S. Claus North Pole Inadequate ambulance Editor: Re: Sidney Ambulance Ser- vices. Most Sidney citizens, I am sure, feel that our ambulance service is adequate and efficient. For the most part their confidence and appreciation is justified. Our ser- vice is excellent! As far as it goes. Few of us realize that our ambulance service between the hours of 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. is not adequate. During these night-time hours, part time and in some cases par- tially-trained drivers respond by pager from their homes. They do the best they can, but it is not possible for them to match the response time of a full-time, fully-trained paramedic operating from the ambulance centre. In some cases the difference of five minutes can mean life or death! Tees I ee em ei a IS TRIE MES I MRR RST CAA a Sern Tee ge this situation should be improved: 1. The large area covered by our ambulance service warrants 24- hour service. It covers Sidney, North Saanich, the airport and the ferries. 2. Sidney’s population has tri- pled in the last 10 years, and it is .still growing rapidly. Most of the new citizens are elderly, and thus more prone to need emergency ambulance care, particularly at night. Babies too seem to prefer birth at night. 3. Increased automobile traffic means more accidents — again emphasizing the need for 24-hour fully-trained paramedics. Sidney’s mayor and council should consider demanding 24- hour service immediately. It would pay for itself in lives. T.D. Thorson Sidney ‘Human waste’ more serious | Editor: While taking a probably well- deserved stab at some of us dog owners (Four-legged friends: The continuing cycle, The Review, Dec. 18) a mention might have been made of the more serious problem of human “waste” along the beach from Roberts Bay around to Port Sidney. I have noticed old tires, rusty bed springs, beer cans, plastic containers of all kinds, and a carpeted beam thrown down on the beach from a waterfront house undergoing renovations. All this above the water line, and spoiling an otherwise pristine shore. Pam Turner Sidney No comparision Editor: I cannot believe that Peter Hedge can compare the abuse suffered by children from second hand cigarette smoke to sexual abuse (Smoking is also form of abuse, Reader’ s Mailbox, Jan. 15). I am not a smoker and I do not encourage anyone to take up the habit, however, there is no compar- ison between the two forms of abuse. I have lived with a smoker for 15 years, am very healthy and have three perfectly healthy children who have seemed to survive the ; odd cloud of second hand smoke. -g- — To say that Jenny’s six year old | son is “constantly subjected to a carcinogenic cloud of second hand smoke” is highly exaggerated. I’m sure the child is not by her side every waking moment. There are many far worse things for children to be exposed to, and sexual abuse is the worst of all. Wendy McBride Sidney Strachan smear was foially false Editor: Weekly columnists inevitably have good and bad days. Hubert Beyer’s column in The Review (Here’s a perfect job for Gracie, Jan. 8) was a clanger, starting out with a totally false statement that Bill Bennett, in a magnanimous gesture after he became premier in 1975, appointed Bob Strachan as B.C. agent general in London. Strachan was in that post well before the 1975 election with a three-year appointment and, in a mean-spirited breach of normal protocol which prompted a per- sonal protest by then-Canadian high commissioner in the U.K., Paul Martin, he was precipitately ordered to vacate B.C. House near the expiry of his term by the Bennett government. And that order was the only communication Strachan received ~9g) from Grace McCarthy, the minister Continued on Page A8