The Alberta Government is getting even tougher on impaired drivers. As of July 1, the penalties for impaired driving are increasing.
Last fall, the province passed legislation introducing automatic penalties for driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above 0.5.
On Tuesday, June 19, Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver announced the new administrative penalties for drivers caught above 0.8 BAC, with more penalties for between 0.5 and 0.8 being introduced this fall.
“In rural Alberta there aren’t as many choices available, so keeping the roads safe becomes more important when you think about it that way. We want to make sure the collisions on the highways, which can be more severe and impact entire communities, can be avoided. Like all Albertans we want to know everybody driving at 100 km/h is alert and can repsond quickly. This legislation is intended to get at one of the most preventable causes of collisions; impaired driving,” said McIver.
As of July 1 on the first offence of being caught with a BAC greater than 0.8 will have their licence immediately suspended and a three day vehicle seizure. The licence suspension would persist until criminal charges are resolved.
If convicted under the criminal code there will be a mandatory installation of an ignition interlock for one year on the first offence.
The penalties increase on subsequent infractions, with a seven day vehicle seizure and could include an addictions assessment.
For graduated driver’s licence holders, there will continue to be a zero tolerance to alcohol. New penalties include an immediate 30 day suspension and seven day vehicle seizure, regardless of whose vehicle it is. Furthermore, each suspension will result in an additional year being added to the graduated licence period.
Those who blow over will be offered a second chance to blow on another device as part of the legislation.
“The vast majority of our new drivers are making good decisions. However, for those few who choose not to behave, the results can be tragic. Unfortunately rural Alberta has been the setting for some of the most heartbreaking collisions involving young people and multiple people,” said McIver.
The goal is to change the behaviour of Alberta motorists.
“In other places it has been proven way to change behaviours. That’s really what we’re after with the entire legislation, trying to get the attention of those who choose to drive after over drinking to change their behaviour,” said McIver.
“There’s no doubt the penalties will affect the way people drink and drive. Right now, if somebody blows a 24 hour suspension, they walk for 24 hours. There’s no real penalty until the second or third time. With the new legislation it will give the authority for the peace officer to seize your vehicle,” said Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins.
The Drumheller RCMP has already begun training with the new breathalyzer units. However, not all members will be trained by the time July 1 comes around. Some members will still be using older models. A sample above 0.8 will still result in penalties under the old legislation. The new penalties must be done using the new model of breathalyzer.
Last year in Drumheller, there were 14 persons caught driving while impaired and given 24 hour suspensions, with an additional 4 in the rural areas.
“We’re not talking a large amount, but if the legislation was in place then, maybe they wouldn’t have driven,” said Hopkins. “But, on a national average, less than one percent of impaired drivers get caught.”
The increased penalties come after new legislation in December 2011 introduced automatic penalties to persons caught above 0.5.
The Drumhelle RCMP with help from the Drumheller media conducted an experiment in January to test the difficulty of blowing over 0.5. The results suggest having two drinks over a meal will not be enough to put one over the 0.5 limit, though it is best to know your limits. BAC is dependent on a few factors, such as weight and sex.
It is hoped the new penalties will get Albertans thinking about the consequences of driving impaired, especially with the long weekend approaching.
“Hopefully at the end of the day it will make for a safer driving environment,” said Hopkins. “The goal is not to punish people, it’s to change behaviours. Let’s put a stop to drinking and driving. There are too many people dying unnecessarily.”
