Alberta cracks down on drivers who drink

The Redford government introduced tough new changes to

 Alberta’s impaired driving legislation on Nov. 21, 2011.

What is it?

Traffic Safety Amendment Act

Why are they doing it?

The law will dramatically increase sanctions for Albertans who drive after drinking.

Those caught drinking and driving can already be charged under the Criminal Code of Canada if they have a blood-alcohol content over 0.08. Under the proposed new provincial law, people criminally charged with drunk driving will immediately lose their licences until the charges are resolved.

Albertans caught driving with a blood-alcohol content between .05 and .08 – below the criminal limit – will be subject to a three-day license suspension and a three-day vehicle seizure for a first offence. A second offence will bring a 15-day suspension and a seven-day seizure. A third offence will bring a 30-day suspension and a seven-day seizure. Drivers will pay impound costs.

Finally, under the proposed law, young drivers in Alberta will face stricter rules. The zero-tolerance for alcohol will continue, but those caught drinking and driving will face an immediate 30-day suspension. Also, for the first six months that new drivers are allowed to drive alone, the new driver cannot have more than one teen passenger in the vehicle. They are also restricted from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

What are critics saying?

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the law will do little to prevent or punish drunk driving, but will have a severe impact on small business. The group says similar laws in B.C. created public confusion about whether it is permissible to even have a glass of wine before driving, leading to losses of between 10 and 50 per cent at some establishments.