Strengthened impaired driving laws come into effect for Alberta on Apr. 9.
Under the new laws all drivers found with the blood alcohol level of .08 or above, impaired by drugs, a combination of drugs and alcohol, or fails or refuses a breath or blood sample will receive a 90-day license suspension followed by one-year in the ignition interlock program.
Minister of Transportation Brian Mason said the suffering caused as a result of impaired driving is unacceptable and entirely preventable.
“As the country prepares for the legalization of cannabis, we’ve strengthened our provincial impaired driving sanctions to make our roads safer and continue to deter impaired driving – whatever the source of impairment may be.”
Drivers could still face criminal charges and all associated penalties imposed by the courts.
There will be zero tolerance for Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program drivers. GDL drivers found with any amount of drugs or alcohol will be subject to a 30-day license suspension, vehicle seizure and longer term in the GDL program.
The new legislation also lays groundwork to enforce upcoming changes to the federal impaired driving charges in the Criminal Code of Canada. Specifically, proposed blood drug concentration limits for pot.
