CANADA – On Dec. 18, 2018 Bill C-46 came into full-effect changing driving laws across Canada.
The parts of the bill affecting drug impaired driving already came into effect over the summer on June 21.
The new rules that came into effect on Dec. 18 impact alcohol-impaired driving laws.
The new law now imposes mandatory jail time for second and third (or more) time offenders. Second time offenders will see a mandatory 30 days in jail, with every offence after that seeing a mandatory 120 days in jail.
First offenders with a blood alcohol level of 80-119mg will see an automatic fine of $1,000. First offenders with a blood alcohol level of 120-159mg will see a $1,500 fine and those with a blood alcohol level of 160mg and above will see an automatic $2,000 fine, which is the same fine that could be levied if the test is refused.
The other major change introduced by the new bill that is now in effect is that police may demand a breath sample from any lawfully stopped vehicle even without reasonable suspicion that the driver has consumed any alcohol.
The Department of Justice defended the new rule changes around breathalyzer tests on their website.
“Research suggests that up to 50% of drivers with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit are not detected at roadside check stops,” a DOJ statement on their website reads. “Mandatory alcohol screening will assist in deterring individuals impaired by alcohol from driving, as well as better detect those who do. It is currently authorized in over 40 countries worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands and Sweden. Authorities in Ireland credit mandatory screening reducing the number of deaths on Irish roads by approximately 40 per cent in the first four years after it was enacted.”
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