Even just a drink of alcohol can influence your ability to react to sudden occurrences. The impacts of alcohol may include but are not limited to impaired attention, negatively affected reflexes, influenced concentration. A recent study from MADD Canada highlighted impaired driving as one of Canada’s leading causes of death. Drivers from the age of 15 to 24 were the most common victims of accidents caused by alcohol overconsumption.
WHAT COUNTS AS IMPAIRED DRIVING PER THE CANADIAN TRAFFIC LAW?
Impaired driving implies operating a vehicle with a compromised vision due to drug or alcohol consumption or both.
For fully licensed drivers all through Canada, the highest legal blood alcohol concentration must be less than 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood (0.08mg/ml). Therefore, driving with an alcohol concentration of or over 0.08 is a criminal offense that attracts severe penalties, which we will discuss later in this guide. Furthermore, in Ontario, you will still face some consequences; suppose your alcohol concentration is between 0.05 and 0.08, usually called the warn range.
As a novice driver of 21 years or less with either G1, G2, M1, or M2 licenses, you must not have any alcohol traces in your blood when driving. Here is otherwise called the zero-tolerance rule. Some drivers that fall within this range may not be aware of that, but with our g1 test in London, Ontario, this information is available for you alongside several others.
Lastly, for commercial drivers, as of 1st July 2018, individuals who drive vehicles that need A-F class license or Commercial vehicle Operators Registration or drive road-building machines much not possess any traces of alcohol in their body system when driving. This information and several others are readily available at our Ontario driving test practice.
PENALTIES FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING
Suppose the police finds you guilty of driving while impaired, you will face immediate penalties. Besides, you might also face further consequences later if convicted by the court of law. The penalties faced might vary based on the type of license, the quantity of alcohol, number of convictions, and age.
Suppose your alcohol concentration is 0.05 or more or you fail a standardized roadside sobriety test, or you do not obey the zero-tolerance requirement for the novice, commercial and young drivers. Then you may face a $250 penalty with a non-appealable 3-day license suspension as a first-time offender.
If you repeat the offense for the second time within five years, you will face a $350 penalty and a non-appealable 7-day license suspension (3-days suspension for commercial vehicle drivers). Also, you must attend a compulsory educational program if the second offense is within ten years.
Suppose you still happen to commit the same offense thrice or subsequently within five years. In that case, it may attract a 30-day non-appealable license submission, a $450 penalty. Furthermore, you must attend a compulsory treatment program, must undergo a mandatory medical evaluation, and lastly, you will be mandated to use an ignition interlock device for at least six months, per the highway traffic act.
AVOIDING IMPAIRED DRIVING
Safe driving is our focus at Fanshawe. And of course, avoiding any form of impairment falls under the umbrella of safe driving. With our driving school in Ontario, you should rest assured that you have all the necessary information to facilitate safe driving.
Excellent blog. I really learnt a lot. Kudos to the writer. How can I enrol in this driving school?
You can register online Book Now or call(519) 686-5454 for any assistance for booking.
What an excellent blog, thank you for this! This is really helpful to ensure safety when you travel. Of course another thing that you must be careful when you are driving. That’s why it is really important to take <a href=” https://driving-school.com/“> driving courses </a> to broaden our knowledge and awareness about driving.