Courtesy of Faceoff.com:

Former Leaf captain Rick Vaive charged with impaired driving

"TORONTO - Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive was charged with impaired driving in July, according to court documents obtained by Global News.

A concerned citizen called police to say he'd seen a man get into a vehicle in a parking lot in Vaughan. The male witness said the driver appeared to be drunk.

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Ironically, Vaive wrote a letter of support for another former Leaf captain, Rob Ramage, during a sentencing hearing earlier this year.

In January 2008, Ramage, a friend of Vaive's, was sentenced to four years for impaired driving causing death, an accident that killed former Blackhawks captain Keith Magnuson."


...Not to say that this is typical NHL behavior - But, it would be fair to note that so many ex-players fall into the bottle, once their careers end.

I would tend to believe that in many cases it's a cultural trait - As a former Canadian, I can honestly say that (perhaps, owing to the northern climate - lack of daylight hours, prolonged winter) there is a mind-set that revolves around alcohol-consumption that is uniquely "Canadian".

As are there similar, but unique, mind-sets in Scandinavia and Russia (and Eastern Europe.) One's that revolve around a degree of stoicism and fatalism, caused by economic conditions as well as the male role (in the given societies) and physiological responses to annual climate-related conditions.

Ironic, indeed, that Vaive should have been the one pleading for leniency, in Ramage's tragic criminal proceedings.

Can someone please explain "impaired driving?"

What are the rules in Canada concerning drunk driving?

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Wheelhouse

You can add Alaska to that list as well Ice. The University of Wyoming was excluded from Playboys top ten partying schools list back in the early eighties. They put a disclaimer in the magazine that the per capita alcohol consumption in Laramie was so much higher than other college towns that UW lost its collegiate status, as we were considered "PROFESSIONAL DRINKERS".

I did my part to carry the torch, and thought I was a pretty accomplished alcoholic....until I moved to Alaska!! I remember people at the bar at 8am, that I had seen at 4am in the bar, and they were visible shaking and asking if anyone had seen the owner as it was three minutes after 8 and the bar wasn't open yet.

Pretty sad, but it has been an accepted part of many societies for a long time.

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"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

Technically,"impaired driving" is any condition which affects one's driving adversely.

If you require prescription glasses, and you're not wearing them, when pulled over, you can be charged with impaired driving...

Similarly, if you are required to take a particular medication, and fail to do so: Impaired.

In the alcohol-related context, impaired driving is considered driving under the influence, but below the legal limit - Hence, if the limit is 0.010 and one is breathalyzed at 0.008, it is considered impaired driving.

The charge is also used as a catch-all: If your music is too loud or you are tuning your radio or changing a CD, and you are "impaired" from hearing/paying attention to traffic around you, and reacting to it...If you are arguing with someone, or speaking on a cell-phone, and are diverting your attention from the primary task of driving...etc.

It is also used as a charge, to avoid the testing, protracted legal battle and resultant stigma, when dealing with a driver who has consumed some form of recreational pharmaceutical: Being stoned or high will bring a charge of impared driving - As there's no effective, affordable, immediate test that can legally ascertain that you are "high" at the moment of arrest...so, the constable offers a firsthand description of your perceived impairment, and you are charged.

BTW: Just for the record...The terms "Golf Tournament/Banquet/Presentation" coupled with "impaired driving" is code for: He was fucking hammered and the cop let him off because he recognized him and/or didn't want to cause him any further grief.

Canadians don't have a drink or two, while "golfing" - Typically, they swing a club, in progressively more erratic arcs, while using it as an excuse to get absolutely shit-faced.

It a lot of ways that sounds like Buffalo too!

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We were biting this morning. We were biting this morning.

Never knew about that loophole. I'm assuming this is true for the states too?

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Wheelhouse

..Can't say..But, I would guess that it varies, from state to state.

You just described my experiences on the golf course here in WNY! Does this mean I'm Canadian??

(Never try to keep up with Rick Martin on the course....)

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Why, sure! You're an honorary Canadian! Let's have a drink (or two) to celebrate it...



I wouldn't even try. He's French-Canadian...their drinking prowess is nothing short of legendary.

Rico must own a cab company; many local golfers have had to take one home after playing 18 with him!!

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

i got drunk while curling. does that count for anything?

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Curling 12 oz.'ers??

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Drunk? While Curling? God love ya', yer an eas'coaster, bai...

Honorary Newfie! And they can drink, too!

Someone's got the right idea.....

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

hooray!

i usually dont drink when playing golf. being i played competitive golf, im always in that mindset: "gotta play par golf... gotta play par golf.." but, generally, im on the green with a fat cigar in my mouth.

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Well, as someone who gets out but a couple times a year on the golf course, I can't get any worse. So I booze because I'm always going to lose.......

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

I love it.

Woo for love and beer.

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Hope this was the exception, and not the rule for Rick. Mistakes happen; irresponsibility is a condemnation.......

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.