Tougher penalties for drunk driving coming to Alberta
The Canadian Press
Posted: Jun 18, 2012 4:15 PM MT
Last Updated: Jun 18, 2012 5:41 PM MT
Related
Related Stories
Transportation Minister Ric McIver blows into a ignition interlock at a news conference in Calgary on Monday, June 18. (CBC)The Alberta government is bringing in its tougher new penalties for drinking and driving on the July 1 long weekend.
Transportation Minister Ric McIver says the amount of booze a driver can consume before getting behind the wheel hasn't changed, but the consequences have.
Drivers caught with a blood alcohol level higher than .08 will lose their licence immediately and not be allowed behind the wheel until charges are resolved.
Alberta is the first province to institute indefinite suspensions for being caught after too many drinks.
Drivers convicted under federal laws also will have a device installed in their vehicles for up to five years to prevent them from starting if high blood alcohol is detected.
McIver says he's confident the legislation has enough safeguards and avenues for appeal to survive a constitutional challenge.
Share Tools
Latest Edmonton News Headlines
- Students and education officials react to EPSB budget
- Impending cuts to staffing facing Edmonton Public Schools has parents, students and teachers worried. more »
- Preventative health care for unhealthy could save billions
- Billions of dollars could be saved in Canada's health-care system with the introduction of preventative programs that focus on those individuals in poor health, says a study by the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. more »
- Ex-Rexall bartender in court for alleged theft
- The man accused of stealing more than $700,000 while working at Rexall Place made his first court appearance in Edmonton Wednesday. more »
- Council votes to expropriate City Centre Airport land
- Edmonton has taken another step towards redeveloping the City Centre Airport into a new neighbourhood. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy
- James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's 'The Sopranos' helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday in Italy. He was 51. more »
- B.C. First Nation sets fires to save bison
- A First Nation band is reviving the age-old practice of controlled burning in order to improve the health of forests and restore the population of the wood bison in a corner of northeastern B.C. more »
- Canada buys rare War of 1812 collection for $573K
- The government of Canada was the winning bidder for a large collection of letters, maps and other papers that once belonged to Sir John Sherbrooke, the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia who conquered Maine for the British during the War of 1812. The collection sold for $573,000 at auction in London. more »
- Bob Rae quits as MP in 'very emotional' decision
- Bob Rae, who has represented the Toronto Centre riding for the Liberals since 2008, is stepping down as a Member of Parliament to devote more time to his work as a negotiator for First Nations in Northern Ontario. more »
- $23,000 in roaming charges 'insane,' says Edmonton woman
- Edmonton places moratorium on body rub shops
- Zama spill site shows brown trees, 3 containment sites
- 30,000 Canadians are homeless every night
- Man charged in connection with 2 Edmonton homicides
- Amber Alert ends after infant girl located by Edmonton police
- AHS to reverse controversial home care decisions
- End of Alberta policy separating seniors from family lauded
- RCMP identify remains found at Enoch Cree Nation
-thumb-140xauto-305451.jpg)
