By Charles Lefebvre

New impaired driving laws take effect

Dec 18, 2018 | 1:13 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —New impaired driving laws have officially taken effect across Canada.

The new laws came into force on Tuesday, and includes new changes to the Criminal Code, and gives officers additional powers during a roadside stop.

Officers are now allowed to conduct roadside screening breath tests to any motorists at the start of each traffic stop, whether they suspect the motorist has consumed alcohol or not. Previously, officers had to have a reasonable suspicion person had been drinking in order to conduct a roadside test.

All motorists who travel through a checkstop will also have to provide a breath sample under the new laws.

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Those who are found driving impaired will have their licence suspended for 90 days immediately, and also have their vehicle seized for three days. Drivers will also have to participate in a mandatory interlock program, and if they don’t, they will have their licence suspended for a year.

According to the Medicine Hat Police Service, 133 impaired driving charges have been laid this year, and 67 suspensions have been issued. They’ve also responded to 26 vehicle collisions involving drugs or alcohol.