globeandmail.com: Tougher Ontario drunk-driving laws kick off today
Drivers found with blood alcohol level in the 'warn range' will get three-day licence suspension
The Canadian Press
May 1, 2009 at 4:48 AM EDT
<!-- dateline -->TORONTO<!-- /dateline --> — 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.
