The Canadian Press
May 1, 2009 at 4:48 AM EDT
TORONTO — Ontario's tough new impaired driving laws take effect today.
As of May 1, a driver caught with a blood alcohol level from 0.05 to 0.08 - known as the "warn range" - will have their licence suspended for three days.
Drivers caught with a similar level of booze in their system a second time, will have their licence suspended for seven days and be required to attend an alcohol education program.
Drivers caught a third time will have their licence suspended for 30 days, have to complete a remedial alcohol treatment program and, for six months, be allowed to drive only vehicles that have an ignition interlock device installed. Ignition interlock devices require a driver to supply a breath sample before the car will start.
The roadside licence suspensions cannot be appealed and will be recorded on the driver's record.
The suspensions will be considered when determining consequences for subsequent infractions for up to five years.
Previously, drivers received a 12-hour licence suspension for recording a blood alcohol level from 0.05 to 0.08, no matter how many times they were caught.
Another Ontario law that would impose a zero blood-alcohol limit on all drivers 21 and under isn't expected to come into effect until the summer of 2010.
While I am against impaired driving > .08. These new rules are without basis and are the product of zealot lobbyists. What's next strip searches without cause or reason?
ReplyDeleteCheck the stats: The %accidents involving drivers with an ABL > 0 and < .08 is approximately 35%. The %accidents where ABL is 0 is 45%. What's up with that?
Giving the cops, some of which are degenerates, the power of judge, jury and executioner is a sad testimony of how spineless our politicians are when it comes to pandering to special interest zealot lobbyists (MADD).
I will be watching all of you and don't dare enjoy a glass of wine and hop (sober) behind the wheel.
Thanks for the post. I truly don't agree with most of your rant but you did say that you are against Impaired Driving and that you won't enjoy a glass of wine and hop behind the wheel...those are welcomed thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe others, well, we'll just chalk them up to lack of education, misunderstanding of the stats and personal opinion.
Merry CHristmas.