Despite the fact that drinking and driving has had a stigma attached to it for years now, many people are willing to run the risk of losing their license – or worse, killing someone – by getting behind the wheel after a few libations.

The police do their best by setting up more ride programs, but even with these risks, people still do it.

In 2016, police recorded more than 70,000 instances of impaired driving across the country. Additionally, there were 100 cases of impaired driving causing death that same year.

While people in urban centres have plenty of options when it comes to a safe ride home – everything from taxis to busses to volunteer driver services – rural folks don’t have the same luxury.

An initiative like Operation Red Nose offers folks who’ve been drinking the services of a volunteer who will drive you and your car home at the end of the night.

While places like the Pontiac don’t have reliable access to these kinds of programs, there are still options.

The most fool-proof way to ensure a safe ride home is to have a designated driver.

The Quebec government is no longer messing around when it comes to impaired driving charges.

Anyone in Quebec who is convicted of drunk driving twice in 10 years will have to blow into a breathalyzer attached to their ignition for the rest of their lives.

While many people have been handed a three-day suspension or some other slap-on-the-wrist punishment, the Quebec government is showing that it means business.

The new legislation went into effect on Nov. 22.

For those who are supposed to have the device installed, but don’t, they face a fine of $1,500 and a three-month license suspension. On top of that, the vehicle they’re driving will be impounded for 30 days.

Those who have been sentenced to install the device in their car will have their license branded for all to see.

Police recommend checking the license of anyone asking to borrow your vehicle to ensure their vehicle doesn’t get impounded for 30 days.

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