Coroner pushes to bring ignition lock rules for repeat drunk drivers

MONTREAL – A Quebec coroner is recommending the province move quickly to implement a rule that would force repeat drunk drivers to have their vehicles fitted with ignition locks for at least a decade.

Andree Kronstrom is urging the province’s automobile insurance board to speed up its work so that Highway Safety Code changes passed by Quebec lawmakers last April can come into force.

The coroner’s comments follow the release of a report into the death of a 26-year-old man who was killed after slamming into a parked police car at 100 kilometres over the speed limit while inebriated.

Vincent Barbe, who had two previous convictions for drunk driving, wasn’t wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash in April 2015, just weeks after the ignition lock was legally removed from his vehicle.

The report found that Barbe had had the ignition lock installed in his car for nearly four years, and the device had prevented him from starting his vehicle a number of times.

Kronstrom also says the automobile insurance board should make it easier for people to report repeat drunk drivers.

It is currently possible to notify the board anonymously by phone, but only 60 reports were made in 2017.