Tougher Penalties for Impaired Driving Come into Effect

Legislation that toughens the consequences for people caught driving with a blood-alcohol level between .05 and .08 comes into effect Tuesday, Oct. 26.

"On average, 22 Nova Scotians a year are killed on our roads due to impaired driving," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "These deaths are 100 per cent preventable and this legislation will help keep our roads and communities safer"

Currently, people who register between .05 and .08 on a roadside alcohol screening test receive a 24-hour licence suspension. Under the new law, licence suspensions will increase to seven days for a first offense, 15 days for a second and 30 days for a third. People will also be required to pay a licence reinstatement fee.

For more information on the legislation and to see the advertisements, visit the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.