The CMA has joined forces with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and called for the federal government to reduce Canada's legal blood-alcohol content to .05 from .08. In a Nov. 27 news release, the CMA said Canada is lagging behind countries such as Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany, which have already introduced the .05 legal limit. “The injuries and deaths resulting from impaired driving must be recognized as a major public health concern,” said CMA President Henry Haddad. MADD says impaired driving kills an average of 4.5 Canadians a day and injures another 125.
In a separate development, Senator Marjorie LeBreton, a member of MADD's National Board of Directors, presented the Citizens of Distinction Long-Term Service Award to the CMA in December. It recognizes “efforts in research, prevention/education, legal issues and victim issues.” The CMA was nominated by Dr. Robert Burns, former executive director of the Alberta Medical Association.
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