Be prepared for tougher impaired driving laws next time you’re thinking about driving after having a couple of beer.
The provincial government has introduced amendments to The Highway Traffic Act that would adopt more severe sanctions for drunk drivers.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol who register a ‘warn’, suggesting a blood alcohol content between .05 and .08 would face a new monetary penalty of at least $200 for a first offence, escalating to at least $400 for a third or subsequent offence.
They would also face a vehicle impoundment of between three days for a first offence and 30 days for a third or subsequent offence. Anyone caught a third or subsequent time would also be required to drive with an ignition interlock for a year.
Adding up all the administrative sanctions and penalties, the minimum cost for a ‘warn’ range driver would be $2,600 for a first offence to around $3,200 for a third or subsequent offence.
For first time drunk drivers that register a ‘fail’ on a test, police would have the discretion to impose a new monetary penalty of at least $500 as well as a mandatory ignition interlock of one year rather than proceeding with a criminal charge.
The minimum cost for a ‘fail’ would be over $3,300. All monetary penalties would be established by regulation.
Last year, 73 people were killed and 442 were seriously injured in traffic collisions in Manitoba. Drunk driving accounted for 32 percent of those killed and six percent of those injured. Already this year, 28 people have lost their lives because of a drunk driver.
