Dear Editor:
I fully understand the dangers of driving while distracted, but in the case of the mayor getting caught, it is not on the taxpayer's dime for any legal bills he may incur. I'm wondering why the big deal about pointing out the mayor's shortcomings, when other, more high-profile politicians have been caught doing much worse than holding a cellphone while driving.
Remember Liberal MLA Jane Thornwaite who was stopped, and was originally charged with impaired driving, because her breathalyzer reading exceeded nearly twice the legal limit at 0.11, and although she originally told the public she was willing to take full responsibility for her actions, she pleaded not guilty in front of the judge.
A trial date was set, which was her right, but before it ended up in front of a judge, the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor charge of driving without due care, or some such ridiculous slap on the wrist. She paid a measly $500 fine and community service.
While we're at it, let's not forget our former Premier Gordon Campbell who got away with the same thing in Hawaii, and came back to Canada as if it was no big deal, because he got away with a simple fine, and no loss of driving privileges.
Look where he is now, living high on the hog, on the Canadian taxpayer's dime, while hobnobbing with royalty, as the Canadian High Commissioner to the U.K.
The lesson to be learned here is that unless one is a high-ranking politician or wealthy bigwig, don't drink and drive, because you will go for the full ride that the laws were intended to, depending on who you are or your social standing.
Wayne McQueen, Burnaby
