Mandatory Alcohol Breath Tests Have Begun for Drivers in Canada

Alcohol and driving does not mix.

Too many people have been killed by alcohol related traffic accidents, so now the government has finally upped the ante to try to put a stop to the practice of drinking and driving once and for all.

As of December 18, 2018, those drivers—or any driver busted under such circumstances—would face a mandatory minimum fine of $2,000 and up to 10 years in prison (in addition to any resulting murder, manslaughter or property damage charges).

Canada’s new, stricter impaired driving rules will also allow police officers to administer breathalyzer tests to anyone behind the wheel of a vehicle they lawfully pull over, at any time, for any reason.

Prior to this, police could only test a driver’s breath for alcohol if they had probable cause to believe that they were intoxicated.

Federal Bill C-46, which passed in June, raises these fines and mandatory minimum prison sentences in an effort to stop so many Canadians from dying or suffering serious injury from alcohol related traffic accidents.

Based on research, it would appear that the probable cause restriction is letting 50% of impaired drivers go uncontested.

As of December 18, 2018, first offenders with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 to 119 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood are subject to a mandatory $1,000 fine (which gets steeper, the higher your Blood Alcohol Content is found to be).

Those who refuse to submit a breath sample outright could be charged with a criminal offence and will have to pay a mandatory minimum $2,000 fine, either way.

If you are going to drink, leave your car at home!!