Province Toughens Suspensions for Impaired Drivers

The province is toughening the consequences for people caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .05.

Currently, people who blow between .05 and .08 on a roadside alcohol screening test receive a 24-hour licence suspension. The amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act will increase the suspension time.

"Impaired driving took the lives 32 Nova Scotians in 2007. This measure will support our collective efforts to prevent these tragedies and the lasting impact on the people left behind," said Murray Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.

Licence suspensions will increase to seven days for a first suspension, 15 days for a second and 30 days for a third. People will also be required to pay a licence reinstatement fee of $85.40.

"Officers across the province see first hand the devastating effects of impaired driving and we know that driving at even a lower level of impairment poses significant risks," said Halifax Regional Police Chief Frank Beazley. "We welcome this legislation as another tool to reinforce the message of the dangers of impaired driving."

In 1998, the province introduced the 24-hour suspension for a .05 blood alcohol level. Several other provinces have a suspension for a low blood alcohol level, and Saskatchewan has recently increased the length of suspensions.

"MADD Canada is very pleased to see the Nova Scotia government take this leading role in the battle against impaired driving," said Margaret Miller, national president of MADD Canada. "This measure shows, once again, Nova Scotia's commitment to making our roads safer. There is no question that this legislation will save lives."

The province has introduced several legislative, enforcement and awareness initiatives to fight impaired driving, including an alcohol ignition interlock program and the integrated impaired driving enforcement unit.