Alcohol and the Law

Remember…

• It is NEVER okay to drink and drive!!• A legal adult should aim to have a Blood

Alcohol Concentration of ZERO if they are driving

• Even a small amount a alcohol can affect your driving• Do not get in a car with someone who has

been drinking

Alcohol and the Law - Canada

• In Canada there are liquor control regulations.These regulations help to…

– Control the sale and advertisement of alcohol– These laws set the age when drinking is allowed

• Drinking age is – 19 (all provinces and territories)– Except Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta– Age is 18

Laws in Ontario• May 1, 2009

• The Legal BAC when driving was changed from 0.08 to 0.05 (50mg of alcohol in every 100mL of blood)

• August 1, 2010• All DRIVERS under the age of 21 MUST have a ZERO (0.00) BAC at

all timesConsequences:1. Immediate 24-Hour Suspension2. $500 Fine3. Up-To 30 Day License Suspension• Also have to return to the start of Graduated Licensing System.(G1 driver, G2 then G).

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/impaired/

Impaired Driving

• Impaired driving - driving while your ability is affected by alcohol or drugs– A crime under the Criminal Code of Canada

• If convicted, you can lose your licence, be fined, or spend time in jail.

• Your vehicle does not even have to be moving; you can be charged if you are impaired behind the wheel, even if you have not started to drive.

Drinking and Driving

• DEADLY combination• There are approx. 13, 000 drinking and driving

convictions annually in Ontario• Approximately 80% of convicted drinking

drivers are first time offenders

One Drink Can…– Reduce your ability to

concentrate – Reduce your ability to react

to things that happen suddenly

– Cause difficulty judging distances

– Difficulty reacting to sudden hazards

– Alter your vision and perception (blurry vision)

Impaired Driving ConsequencesNumber of Offence(s)

FINE $$$

Suspension Other

1 150$ 3-Day Suspension

2(within 5 years)

150$ 7-Day Suspension

Mandatory Alcohol Education Program

3(within 5 years)

150$ 30-Day Suspension

Mandatory Alcohol Education Program6-Month Ignition Interlock

4+(within 5 years)

150$ 30-Day Suspension

Mandatory Alcohol Education Program6-Month Ignition InterlockMandatory Medical Evaluation

0.05-0.08 BAC “Warn Range”

What is Ignition Interlock?

• In-car alcohol breath screening device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a pre-set limit of 0.02

• The device is located inside the vehicle, near the driver's seat, and is connected to the engine's ignition system

How does an Ignition Interlock Device work?

• Before starting the vehicle…– A driver must blow into the device – If BAC is above the pre-set limit, the vehicle will not start

• Once the vehicle is started…– The interlock device requires the driver to provide breath

samples at random pre-set times while the engine is running

– If a sample is not provided, or if the BAC exceeds the limit, the device will issue a warning, record the event and activate specific alarm systems (e.g., lights flashing, horn honking, etc.), until the ignition is turned off

When Would Drivers use the IID?

• Drivers will be subject to Ontario's Ignition Interlock Program if they are:

– Convicted of an impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code of Canada

– Suspended for registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 to 0.08 or 3 more times in a five-year period.

Impaired Driving Programs and Campaigns

• Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE)• arrive alive DRIVE SOBER®

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)• iDRIVE• Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving

(OSAID)