This release was issued under a previous government.

Changes to Alberta’s drinking and driving penalties will be introduced in phases over the summer. The toughest consequences come into effect first.  On July 1, new penalties will be introduced for criminally impaired drivers and drinking drivers with a graduated licence.  

“People continue to drive when they are over .08,” said Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver. “We need a more effective way to change that behaviour. These penalties are about making sure that all of us feel more secure when we go out on Alberta’s roadways.”

A driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .08 will be charged under the Criminal Code, just as before. In addition, beginning July 1, the driver will receive an immediate licence suspension, which remains in place until the criminal charge is resolved. The driver’s vehicle will also be seized. Once convicted, a driver will be required to use an ignition interlock device.

“The tougher penalties are all about helping more Albertans get home safe,” said Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. “The penalties, combined with the continued great work of our enforcement partners across the province, will reduce the needless deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers.”

Those with a graduated driver’s licence will also face stronger penalties if they consume any alcohol and drive. Beginning July 1, these drivers will receive an immediate 30-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle seizure.

The changes to penalties, in place since 1999, for drivers with a BAC between .05 and .08 will come into effect on September 1.

A public education and awareness campaign has begun and will run throughout the summer. The campaign will use radio, newspaper and online advertising as well as a website that can be easily accessed on mobile devices (www.knowthelimits.ca). Print materials will also be distributed through government and its traffic safety partners. All advertising and print materials are available at www.transportation.alberta.ca/impaireddriving.htm.

“We promised Albertans we would take the time to provide an education campaign before enacting the increased penalties,” said McIver.  “While the limits haven’t changed, the penalties have. Impaired driving is an important safety discussion in Alberta and we want to ensure that people have the facts.”

From 2006 to 2010, 569 people were killed and 8,530 people were injured in collisions in Alberta involving drinking drivers.

-30-

Backgrounder: Alberta’s drinking and driving penalties, Questions and answers about impaired driving penalties

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Parker Hogan
Press Secretary
Minister of Transportation
Phone 780-643-9134
Cellphone 780-914-2869
Email [email protected]
Twitter twitter.com/@TPHogan

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder

Alberta’s drinking and driving penalties

Penalties in effect July 1, 2012:

For drivers with a blood alcohol concentration over .08

    • Continue to be charged under the Criminal Code
    • First charge - Immediate licence suspension until the criminal charge is resolved, 3-day vehicle seizure
    • Second and subsequent charges - Immediate licence suspension until the criminal charge is resolved, 7-day vehicle seizure
      • For drivers once they are convicted of impaired driving
        • First conviction - Mandatory use of ignition interlock device for 1 year
        • Second conviction - Mandatory use of ignition interlock device for 3 years
        • Third and subsequent convictions - Mandatory use of ignition interlock device for 5 years

For new drivers with any blood alcohol concentration and a graduated driver's licence

    • First and subsequent offences - Immediate 30-day licence suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure
    • In addition, they must remain in the graduated licence program until they have reached one year of suspension-free driving.
    • If the driver’s blood alcohol is over .08, the driver will be charged under the Criminal Code and the penalties for drivers over .08 will apply.

Refusing to provide a breath sample will result in a criminal charge, just as it always has.
-30-

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Parker Hogan
Press Secretary
Minister of Transportation
Phone 780-643-9134
Cellphone 780-914-2869
Email [email protected]
Twitter twitter.com/@TPHogan

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Questions and answers about impaired driving penalties

Q:

How are these changes tougher on drivers caught driving over .08?

A:

Previously, these individuals received a 24-hour licence suspension, followed by a 21-day grace period and a 90-day licence suspension. After the suspension was over, they were allowed to continue driving while awaiting their trial - potentially putting others at risk by drinking and driving again. Starting July 1, as an added penalty and to keep our roads safer, their licences are immediately suspended and remain suspended until their charges are resolved. Longer monitoring, through mandatory and extended periods of ignition interlock use, will help them to separate drinking from driving. For example, a first conviction will net a full year with the ignition interlock device, up from a discretionary six months. A second conviction will require three years of interlock and a third conviction will require five years of interlock.
   

Q:

Will impaired drivers still be charged with a criminal offence?

A:

Impaired driving is a serious offence with serious consequences. This is why Alberta will continue to treat drivers who are over .08 as criminals to be prosecuted under the federal Criminal Code. Drivers who are over .08 will face criminal charges, they will get a criminal record and repeat offenders will be tracked and penalized accordingly.
   

Q:

Can these penalties be appealed?

A:

A licence suspension and a vehicle seizure can be appealed - if either are longer than three days - through the Alberta Transportation Safety Board. A criminal charge can be appealed through the courts.
   

Q:

What is an ignition interlock device and why is it used?

A:

An ignition interlock device is an instrument installed in a motor vehicle that measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath. If the device detects alcohol, it will not allow the person to start the vehicle.
   

Q:

Is there a cost for the ignition interlock device?

A:

A driver will be required to pay for the device’s installation, removal and a monthly or bi-monthly rental fee. There is a fee for the application and for the restricted operator’s licence. The driver will also be required to pay the cost of a remedial course.
   

Q:

What is the purpose of these changes?

A:

The fact is we have a problem in Alberta - impaired drivers are causing death on our roads. In 2010, 96 people were killed and 1,384 people were injured in alcohol-related collisions on Alberta roads. It is important that we act to prevent these injuries and deaths.
-30-

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Parker Hogan
Press Secretary
Minister of Transportation
Phone 780-643-9134
Cellphone 780-914-2869
Email [email protected]
Twitter twitter.com/@TPHogan

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.