Impaired Driving (BAC)

Quebec is set to become the last province in the country to lower the legal blood-alcohol level to 0.05, but the measure is facing staunch opposition from bar and restaurants owners as well as opposition parties. Under the proposed legislation which was introduced last December, police could suspend the licence of drivers with a blood-alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08 for a 24-hour period.

Drivers age 21 and under are prohibited from having any alcohol in their blood under new rules that take effect (Road Safety Act 2009). The legislative amendments set . Those breaking the new rules will have their licence suspended immediately for 24 hours, and face a further suspension of 30 days plus a fine of up to $500.

First-time impaired drivers who once faced a mandatory 12-month license suspension could now be back on the road in three months if they plead guilty and agree to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. The move is backed by defence lawyers and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, who say the new regulation brings Ontario in line with other provinces and shifts the emphasis from punishment to rehabilitation for first-time drunk drivers. While the regulation doesn't officially come into affect until Aug. 3, judges have begun allowing first-time impaired drivers already in the criminal system to plead guilty and then defer the finding of guilt and sentencing until after that date. Drivers before the courts will have until Nov. 1 to plead guilty. After that, anyone facing impaired driving charges will have to plead within 90 days of being charged. The new regulations mean that instead of facing a 12-month driving ban, an offender's license will be reinstated after 90 days so long as they agree to use an ignition interlock device for nine months.

The B.C. Government announced announced a tough new drinking-and-driving law (amending the Motor Vehicles Act) which will allow police to immediately fine and suspend drivers caught with a blood-alcohol level as low as 0.05. . Under the proposed law, drivers found to have a blood-alcohol level of between 0.05 and 0.08 — the so-called “warn” range — will face an immediate three-day driving ban, possible vehicle impoundment and fines or related fees of up to $600. Those caught in this warning range multiple times will face a driving ban of up to 30 days and fines or fees of up to $800.

The Harper government appears ready to move ahead on legalizing random roadside breath testing, which a new federal discussion paper says has produced “remarkable results” in catching drunk drivers in other countries. The Justice Department is inviting public input on the idea of random sobriety tests and federal officials plan to meet this month and next with provincial ministers and other experts to measure support. In a rare move, the federal government has posted on its website a discussion paper, weighing the benefits of random testing, seeking feedback by the end of April.