Province Supports Proposed Changes to Criminal Code for Impaired Drivers

The province is supporting a number of recommendations for impaired driving laws, proposed in a federal discussion paper.

The Modernizing Transportation Provisions Discussion Paper, sent to all provinces and territories for input, is recommending a number of changes.

The departments of Justice and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal submitted a response, supporting a number of the recommendations, which include allowing police to randomly request breath-screening samples and increasing penalties for repeat offenders.

"The recommendations proposed in this paper reinforce Nova Scotia's message -- we are serious about getting drunk drivers off our roads," said Ross Landry, Minister of Justice. "We must continue to work together with all provinces and territories to address impaired driving through awareness, education and enforcement."

"The proposals laid out in the paper are in line with our position on a number of impaired driving related issues," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "We have no tolerance for impaired driving in this province and we will continue to take measures to get impaired drivers off our roads."

Impaired driving is one of the leading factors in fatal collisions in Nova Scotia. In 2009, there were 18 fatalities in the province involving impaired drivers. The province has introduced several initiatives to address impaired driving including the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program, Campaign 911 and legislation that toughens the consequences for people caught driving with a blood-alcohol level of .05.