Alberta's new Drunk Driving Law

[killerkeith]

I have no problem with any set out consequences upon conviction.

I do, however, have a huge problem with any punishment that is given prior to conviction -- such as most DUI laws in this country do. A person could have his life ruined by a cop who has a vendetta, and when he gets to court 6 months later to fight bogus charges -- well too little too late for his mortgage payments that depended on his truck driving job.

I approve this message.

 

[zeekat]

Here's the rest of the new penalties ... take a look at the .05 and .00 GDL penalties.

Starting July 1, 2012 For drivers with blood alcohol over .08:
Criminal charge Immediate licence suspension which is sustained until criminal charge is resolved. 1st charge: sustained licence suspension and 3-day vehicle seizure, “Planning Ahead” course. 2nd charge: sustained licence suspension, 7- day vehicle seizure, “Impact” course. 3rd charge: sustained licence suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, “Impact” course. Mandatory ignition interlock after criminal conviction – 1 year for 1st conviction; 3 years for 2nd conviction; 5 years for 3rd conviction.
Starting September 1, 2012 For drivers with Blood Alcohol .05 to .08:
1st offence - Immediate 3-day licence suspension and 3-day vehicle seizure. 2nd offence - Immediate 15-day licence suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, “Planning Ahead” course. 3rd offence - Immediate 30-day licence suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, “Impact” course.
Starting July 1, 2012 For new (GDL) drivers with blood alcohol over .00
GDL driver found with any blood alcohol - Immediate 30-day licence suspension and 7-day vehicle seizure

 

[TwistedKestrel]

The GDL penalties are absurd. If anything, that's where the accuracy of breathalysers are most questionable - it's one thing if mouthwash, inhalers, diabetes skews the results a bit giving you 0.07 instead of 0.06 (making those numbers up) but if it's the difference between NOTHING and SOMETHING.... this is just crazy.

 

[EngineerJoe]

The GDL penalties are absurd. If anything, that's where the accuracy of breathalysers are most questionable - it's one thing if mouthwash, inhalers, diabetes skews the results a bit giving you 0.07 instead of 0.06 (making those numbers up) but if it's the difference between NOTHING and SOMETHING.... this is just crazy.

I believe that road-side breathalysers' pass/fail criteria is 0.10 BAC, not 0.08, for specifically that reason. and I think the "warn" zone is 0.05

 

[psycho44]

read somewhere that most drunk driving accidents are caused by those more than 3 times the criminal limit but I think 0 beer and no shots would be my cut off limit. Blowing 0.05 facing immediate seizure and suspension is not worth the risk. Could see police camping outside bars now testing everyone for 0.05. There goes the restaurant and bar business. Taxi here is the worst. You can't even get through the call center after being on hold for half an hour. Buses don't run at 1am or something and bars close at 2 am. City won't issue more taxi licenses and most taxi drivers refuse to work at night.

 

[LoneRonin]

I'm not a supporter of bill 172 or its clones but when a person blows over .08 they are not competent to drive one inch further. They should be charged and the issue settled in court. The driver should have the right to have his case heard within 24 hours and a preliminary judgement made as to whether they can keep their licence while the case is being further dealt with. Zero blood level until resolved.

Says who?? Now you can equally measure an individual's competency?
I weigh 160lbs and know I can competently KO a guy 200lbs...Doesn't mean every guy my size can...