There are new impaired driving rules in effect.
Part 2 of Bill C-46 came into effect this morning (December 18) and it now gives police officers the ability to ask for a roadside test without having to suspect the driver has been drinking.
Prior to today, officers had to have a reasonable suspicion a driver had alcohol in their body before demanding a roadside test.
Under the new legislation, drivers impaired by alcohol will also face higher mandatory minimum fines and some higher maximum penalties.
The OPP has laid more than 7,300 impaired driving charges across the province between January 1 and mid-November of this year.
Penalties for impaired driving as of December 18, 2018
Alcohol-impaired driving that does not cause bodily harm or death – mandatory minimum penalties:
- First offence + blood alcohol content (BAC) of 80-119 mg: mandatory minimum $1,000 fine
- First offence + BAC of 120-159 mg: mandatory minimum $1,500 fine
- First offence + BAC of 160 mg or more: mandatory minimum $2,000 fine
- First offence of refusal to be tested: mandatory minimum $2,000 fine
- Second offence: mandatory minimum 30 days imprisonment
- Third and subsequent offences: mandatory minimum 120 days imprisonment
