No easy answer

Lauzon was acquitted of dangerous driving causing death by Judge Robert Sansfaçon on Monday. Police reported Lauzon fell asleep at the wheel of her vehicle and veered off Beaconsfield Boulevard at a slight turn in the road near Fieldsend Avenue and struck 34-year-old Erica Cadieux as she pushed her 18-month old daughter in a stroller on the sidewalk Jan. 27, 2006. Cadieux died later in hospital but her baby was miraculously not injured. The tragedy struck a nerve with Beaconsfield residents who demanded the city and police crack down on speeding, although speeding was not deemed a factor in the incident, nor were drugs or alcohol. From the start, there were questions of whether or not a sleepy driver could be prosecuted. Quebec has no drowsy driving law, such as one in New Jersey. However, some legal experts, including a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling, don't think drivers who commit momentary acts of negligence should be held criminally responsible. Unfortunately, Quebec's no-fault insurance policy doesn't allow for civil action, either.

While one way to remember Cadieux would be to name a new law after her, there are others as well. For instance, a soccer match in her honour pitting Concordia University's women's soccer team (which Cadieux once played on) against crosstown rivals at McGill was launched to raise money and collect teddy bears for the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.

People could continue to debate the need for a drowsy driving law, but what we should all learn from this is to be more prudent and responsible drivers. While most people know better than to drink and drive (though far too many still don't), a great number of people don't think twice about driving while sleep-impaired. There are numerous reports of deadly crashes in Canada where a sleepy driver is cited as the cause. Sometimes the driver takes his own life, but also the lives of others on the road.