Alcohol Abuse, An Endemic Problem? Solutions?

[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Reviewing the recent Throne Speech, outlining the OBA Government’s policy priorities for the next year, I note that, as regards alcohol, the OBA proposes to:

• Continues to ‘encourage those who drink alcohol to do so responsibly’;
• Amend the Liquor License Act 1974 to require mandatory ID checks for bars and nightclubs and empower other license holders to require proof of age before serving alcohol;
• Amend the Liquor License Act 1974 to allow retail outlets to sell alcohol on Sundays;

While I welcome these initiatives, to the degree that they may reduce incidences of underage drinking and end the contradiction of disallowing alcohol purchase in retail while allowing purchase of alcohol at bars and restaurants (which may even have encouraged drunk-driving!), I am disappointed that the OBA Government have been overly timid in addressing more substantial issues related to alcohol abuse in Bermuda.

This is all the more surprising – and disappointing – considering that in March of this year the Minister for Transport, Shawn Crockwell, spoke in parliament on certain policies that he would be developing specifically regarding alcohol abuse. Specifically, he stated that it was his intention to introduce legislation/amendments that would:

Lower the limit for blood-alcohol levels from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood down to 40 milligrams;
A policy that allows the police to take samples of breath at the roadside and have that information eligible as evidence in court.

Since that March speech in the House of Assembly, there appears to have been no further action to realising these policies – although I am sure the relevant civil servants are continuing their excellent and diligent work behind the scenes. However, the failure to highlight these policies in the Throne Speech would indicate that the policies have been placed on the proverbial ‘back-burner’ – and it is that which I find disappointing.

Lowering Blood Alcohol Content

In my election platform for the 2012 General Election, where I ran as an Independent for Constituency 20, I also called for lowering the blood-alcohol content – I called for a reduction to 50 milligrams rather than the Ministers stated 40 milligrams. So I am supportive of this effort.

To be clear, there is abundant research that suggests that, on average, it is only at blood-alcohol concentrations of 60 milligrams and above that reasoning, depth perception and peripheral vision is impaired. Our existing policy, set at 80 milligrams, already threatens the safety of our community through drunk-driving.

By reducing the blood-alcohol limit to 50 milligrams, and through proper enforcing, we would greatly increase the safety and security of us all.

And new, inexperienced, drivers should have a more stringent limit, say a policy where all newly qualified drivers have a limit of 20 milligrams for the first two years of their license.

Roadside Testing

On the issue of proper enforcing, it has been suggested that consistent, well-publicised and strategically targeted road-side checkpoints, particularly on the main routes into and out of the City of Hamilton, would greatly contribute to a reduction of driving under the influence (DUI).

If individuals have a reasonable expectation of being caught driving under the influence, then there is a greater likelihood of encouraging a behavioural change in our society leading to a reduction of DUI. Through their high visibility, strategic location and regular operation, such a policy would provide a strong incentive for individuals to drink responsibly or make alternative transport arrangements.

Combined with allowing roadside testing results to be admissible as evidence, this policy could greatly contribute to reducing DUI incidents.

Ignition Interlock Devices

Furthermore, we should also institute a policy where all individuals found DUI should have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles.

Ignition interlock devices require drivers to use a breathalyser in order to start their vehicles; the device is tied into their ignition system. If the device detects a blood-alcohol limit at or above the prescribed limit, it prevents the vehicle being started until it receives an acceptable sample.

Additionally, even after being started with a ‘clean’ sample, the device periodically requires additional samples during driving. It does not, I repeat, it does not, cause the vehicle to stop in the middle of the street, which would constitute an additional traffic hazard. Rather, it alerts the driver that a sample will be needed and gives the driver a few minutes to pull over responsibly to comply.

If the driver does not comply, the device, being connected to the vehicles systems, proceeds to flash lights and repeatedly honk the horn until it receives an acceptable sample. In so doing it not only induces the driver to comply, but also alerts other road users to a potential hazard, while not compromising general road safety.

While these devices are not full-proof, they have been shown to be effective in reducing repeat DUI incidents. Notably, however, they are only effective while installed – research indicates that the devices alone do not lead to a behavioural change once they are removed, at least when not combined with intensive therapy for substance abuse issues.

As such, I believe that all DUI offenders should have these devices installed for a minimum of five years, combined with mandatory intensive therapy for substance abuse issues.

Furthermore, I believe that incentives should be instituted to encourage the installation of such devices in all vehicles, regardless of conviction for DUI. This can be done through such incentives as greatly reduced premiums for vehicle insurance.

The cost of installation and maintenance of court-ordered installed devices should be borne by the offender (in the US the average cost of installation is about $170, and subsequent monthly maintenance of $60, averaging to around $3-5 a day, less than a couple of alcoholic drinks), while an indigent fund can be set-up for those unable to reasonably afford such installation.

While this is not a silver bullet in reducing DUI, it has been shown to be an effective tool for those ends. And while these devices are more usually installed in four-wheeled vehicles, they can also be installed in motorbikes.

Alternative Transport Options

It should also be noted that a key factor in reducing DUI is the provision of alternative transport options.

In moving to curb incidents of DUI, and facilitating tourism, the Government should also work to improving our public transportation system. Providing an hourly service on the principal routes east and west (numbers 7, 8, 10 and 11 – in an alternating format, say 7 and 10 one hour and 8 and 11 the next) from midnight to 0600hrs, is one option that could help reduce DUI incidents.

Such a move should also include improving the security and safety of public transport infrastructure along at least these routes. Simply installing adequate lighting at every bus stop would help make public transport a more appealing alternative transport option in this regards, particularly for women and seniors.

Final Thoughts

We need to face the fact that alcohol abuse, and specifically DUI, has been an endemic problem in our island for far too long.

I expect all too many – if not every one of us – has been affected by DUIs or the corrosive effect of alcoholism. We have lost too many of our friends, brothers and sisters to it, or seen their (or our) lives negatively impacted in one way or another, even if only in the form of indirect increased premiums for vehicle insurance or the use of public funds to repair damaged walls or other traffic infrastructure.

And we are rapidly entering the Holiday Season, where incidents of DUI are all too frequent and bring sorrow to an otherwise cheerful time of the year.

I implore the OBA Government to move ahead with their March positions, and to further adopt the policies I outline above.

As a society we need to develop a more responsible relationship towards alcohol consumption, one based on a responsibility to self and to society. I believe the positions outlined above can serve as key stepping stones towards such a relationship.

- Jonathan Starling has degrees in Ecological Economics and Urban and Regional Planning, and is well known in the online community through his Catch-A-Fire blog, which he has maintained since 2007. He ran as Independent candidate in C#20 Pembroke South West in the 2012 General Election.

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