From SES Research:

SES Research - MADD Canada Poll of Ontarians An SES Research survey commissioned by MADD Canada indicates that Ontarians believe that the planned sale of beer and wine at corner stores will likely lead to increases in the incidents of drinking and driving, sales to underage people and the sale of alcohol to intoxicated persons. Overview Polling January 22nd and January 26th, 2005 (Random Telephone Survey of 500 Ontario residents, MoE ±4.5%, 19 times out of 20). Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding. Question - "Will the following likely increase, likely decrease or not change if the Provincial Government allows the sale of beer and wine at local corner stores?" - the number of drinking and driving incidents (Likely increase 53%) - beer & wine being sold to underage persons (Likely increase 70%) - beer & wine being sold to intoxicated persons (Likely increase 64%)

Of course there is no evidence of this. The intuitive thought is that the access will increase the temptation. I would suggest that a lot of drinking and driving happens heading to the beer or liquor store for more booze. However, I, like the people polled, simply do not know the answer. It is these "how do you feel" polls that create poor public policy. MADD, an organization bred from tragedy, has in recent years become more of a temperance society. Of course they do not want beer in the corner store, not because it will lead to drinking and driving but because they, like the anti-tobacco lobby, are now in the business of "de-normalizing" alcohol consumption. Political expediency rather than good public policy will prevail. Visit St. John's Newfoundland, a place where corner stores sell beer. There are taxis on the street like you are in New York. It is a city that drinks and where drinking and driving is socially unacceptable. The cab companies even offer the "double cab" - one cab takes you home and the driver of the second cab drives your car home. The cost is double your fare. Not drinking and driving is a choice, regardless of where you are drinking. On that note, it's off to the bar for me ... I always have been more of a bar fly than a sit at home kind of drinker