Alcohol and the Law

Remember… It is NEVER okay to drink and drive!! A legal adult should aim to have a Blood Alcohol Concentration of ZERO if they are driving Even a small amount a alcohol can affect your driving Do not get in a car with someone who has been drinking

Alcohol and the Law - Canada In Canada there are liquor control regulations. These regulations help to… – Control the sale and advertisement of alcohol allowed – These laws set the age when drinking is allowed Drinking age is – 19 (all provinces and territories) – Except Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta – Age is 18

Laws in Ontario May 1, 2009 The Legal BAC when driving was changed from 0.08 to 0.05 (50mg of alcohol in every 100mL of blood) August 1, 2010 All DRIVERS under the age of 21 MUST have a ZERO (0.00) BAC at all times Consequences: 1. Immediate 24-Hour Suspension 2. $500 Fine 3. Up-To 30 Day License Suspension Also have to return to the start of Graduated Licensing System. (G1 driver, G2 then G).

Impaired Driving Impaired driving - driving while your ability is affected by alcohol or drugs – A crime under the Criminal Code of Canada If convicted, you can lose your licence, be fined, or spend time in jail. Your vehicle does not even have to be moving; you can be charged if you are impaired behind the wheel, even if you have not started to drive.

Drinking and Driving DEADLY combination There are approx. 13, 000 drinking and driving convictions annually in Ontario Approximately 80% of convicted drinking drivers are first time offenders

One Drink Can… – Reduce your ability to concentrate – Reduce your ability to react to things that happen suddenly – Cause difficulty judging distances – Difficulty reacting to sudden hazards – Alter your vision and perception (blurry vision)

Impaired Driving Consequences Number of Offence(s) FINE $$$ SuspensionOther 1 150$3-Day Suspension 2 (within 5 years) 150$7-Day Suspension  Mandatory Alcohol Education Program 3 (within 5 years) 150$30-Day Suspension  Mandatory Alcohol Education Program  6-Month Ignition Interlock 4+ (within 5 years) 150$30-Day Suspension  Mandatory Alcohol Education Program  6-Month Ignition Interlock  Mandatory Medical Evaluation BAC “Warn Range”

What is Ignition Interlock? In-car alcohol breath screening device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a pre-set limit of 0.02 The device is located inside the vehicle, near the driver's seat, and is connected to the engine's ignition system

How does an Ignition Interlock Device work? Before starting the vehicle… – A driver must blow into the device – If BAC is above the pre-set limit, the vehicle will not start Once the vehicle is started… – The interlock device requires the driver to provide breath samples at random pre-set times while the engine is running – If a sample is not provided, or if the BAC exceeds the limit, the device will issue a warning, record the event and activate specific alarm systems (e.g., lights flashing, horn honking, etc.), until the ignition is turned off

When Would Drivers use the IID? Drivers will be subject to Ontario's Ignition Interlock Program if they are: – Convicted of an impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code of Canada – Suspended for registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 to 0.08 or 3 more times in a five-year period.

Impaired Driving Programs and Campaigns Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) arrive alive DRIVE SOBER ® Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) iDRIVE Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID)