Taxi or $20,000?

If risking lives is not enough to deter people from drinking and driving this holiday season, perhaps a $20,000 price tag will.

That is the estimated cost to the family of the person convicted of impaired driving; and that does not include fines, legal fees, and a criminal record. Or the heavy emotional price all those involved pay.

"Before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired, drivers need to ask themselves whether they'd rather pay $20 for a taxi or $20,000 to an insurance company," said Jamie Muir, acting Minister of Finance and acting Minister responsible for the Insurance Act. "Drinking and driving is not safe or socially acceptable, nor does it make sense from an economic perspective."

During the first year of a licence suspension for an impaired driving conviction, most drivers' spouses will be able to get insurance at the previous rate of about $900 per year.

However, during the first year of licence restoration, drivers and spouses are excluded from the mainstream insurance market and placed in the Facility Association, an insurance group for high-risk drivers.

"The driver would be placed in the high-risk market, Facility Association, for at least five years," said Doug Murphy, superintendent of insurance at the Department of Finance. "This would result in premiums in the $5,500 range for the first three years and in the $2,500 range for the following two years."

The total increased cost for a family of a person convicted of impaired driving would be $15,000 to $20,000.

"The financial burden is indeed substantial," said Mr. Muir. "I encourage all drivers to choose inexpensive alternatives to drinking and driving, such as public transportation or taxis. And, of course, the insurance industry's own Operation Red Nose is free during the holidays."