I paired Drivi g: It’s Not Just Alcohol A y ore Everyone knows not to drink and drive, but according to the CBC, the OPP laid 6,500 charges in 2016 for impaired driving and more than 30 people died in Ontario due to drunk driving accidents. Those numbers were released at the end of November, so they don’t e e i lude the holiday seaso . It’s o iously a priority to redu e the u er of people ho dri k a d dri e, ut ho to do that is up for debate. One option would be to introduce random roadside breathalyzer tests, but this might violate the Charter u less it ould e pro e that the easure ould ork a d that urre t ta ti s ere ’t orki g. Some also advocate lowering the legal limit to 0.05 percent blood alcohol level, but critics argue that this would punish moderate drinkers with a blood alcohol level that does not constitute impairment.
A d as if dru k dri i g as ’t serious e ough, o a e issue is o the horizo : drug i paired dri i g. Legislation introduced this fall means that motorists who are driving while high on marijuana will face the same penalties as drunk drivers. This means a minimum fine of $180 and an immediate suspension of their dri er’s li e e. They ould also fa e criminal charges, which could mean a jail sentence of up to five years. Other penalties include: Licence suspension for three days for a first offence, seven days for a second and 30 days for a third Licences can be suspended for 90 days and vehicles impounded for seven days if the motorist is taken to a police station for testing, which can include a urine test. Drug-impaired driving may become a more serious issue if the federal government legalizes marijuana. Legislation to do just that is expected to be tabled in the spring of 2017. Contacts us 905-641-2020 or visit http://www.gravesandrichard.com/