The Interlock Device Program in Quebec

Quebec province did okay on the report and finished in 5th place with a C grade.

Technically speaking, the Quebec province has just about every feature that MADD thinks desirable. If the offender blows in the ignition interlock device and the device registers that the BAC of the driver is over .02%, the driver will not be able to start the car and so the person will not be allowed to drive while under the influence. They also have a good participation rate as the program is mandatory for people who break the Criminal Code who have a problem of alcohol addiction. Moreover, the offenders, once they are on the program, are not allowed to just not use their car for the entire time and then apply for their license back afterwards. They have to actually undergo the program and prove themselves.

There are some good and bad points in the program and the way it is run. One of the good points is that if any violation of the program is an actual offense and so they can be reprimanded for it. But it won’t be optimal until they put in a few more features. Also they would have to get the right to legally continue the program beyond the minimum required period if they see that the driver is still a risk.

The police force has also both good points and bad points when it comes to the Ignition Interlock program. One of the good things is that they have a right to stop cars randomly and check your license and verify that all is under control. But for the purpose of the program, it is a bit pointless since most of them have not received any sort of training on the device itself. So they may not be able to recognize if the Ignition Interlock Device is in good working order.

^{Source: http://madd.ca/english/research/interlock2008.pdf}