Today was the first day of the new drinking and driving rules and I've been hearing all kinds of stories as to what that means. I hadn't paid much attention but after hearing variations from one glass of wine could cost me my licence and $4000 to it's nothing to worry about I thought I would do a little research and pass on my findings.
For people opposed to the new rules, there seems to be two major issues on the table:
[source www.ctv.ca]
So it would appear that you must blow and if you blow between .05 and .08 you won't get a criminal record but you will lose your car for a few days and be out of pocket for as much as $800. If you blow .08 or over you will risk a criminal record, lose your car for 90 days and be out of pocket about $4000. None of which is too bad if it stops someone drinking and driving the question being raised is whether it acceptable to place such a penalty without trial.
Until next time happy driving!
- The blood alcohol range known in the past as the "warn" zone is now subject to penalties.
- Police now have the authority to levy significant penalties (as much as $4000 and 90 day licence suspension) without a trial.
I believe our court system is in place for a reason and it concerns me that our law makers have felt the need to circumvent it. However, those feelings aside it might be useful to actually know what the new guidelines are.
Under the new legislation, a driver who refuses a breathalyser or blows over a .08 blood-alcohol level will receive an immediate 90-day licence suspension and a $500 administrative penalty.
He or she will also be forced to pay:
- a $700 towing fee
- $250 to have the driver's licence reinstated
- $1,420 for an ignition interlock device
- $880 to enrol in a responsible driver program
Offenders will also lose their cars for 30 days and could face criminal charges.
The law also penalizes drivers caught with a blood-alcohol reading between .05 and .08, which used to lead to a warning.
Those drivers are hit with an immediate three-day driving ban and a $200 fine. Additional fees add up to about $600.
Drivers warned twice in five years will receive a seven-day ban and a $300 fine, while those warned three times will receive a 30-day ban, a $400 fine and must enrol in the responsible driver program.
[source www.ctv.ca]
So it would appear that you must blow and if you blow between .05 and .08 you won't get a criminal record but you will lose your car for a few days and be out of pocket for as much as $800. If you blow .08 or over you will risk a criminal record, lose your car for 90 days and be out of pocket about $4000. None of which is too bad if it stops someone drinking and driving the question being raised is whether it acceptable to place such a penalty without trial.
Until next time happy driving!
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