The Wellington County OPP want to ensure motorists are familiar with recent changes in drinking and driving legislation. In doing that, OPP Constable Mark Cloes said the service hopes to help make the roads safer this summer.
“People who drive under the influence of alcohol jeopardize everyone who shares our roadways,” he said. “Tougher suspension laws came into effect May 1.”
The 12-hour suspension is gone. If some has a blood to alcohol concentration) between 0.05milligrams and 0.08 milligrams per 100ml of blood in their system, “police will suspend your driver’s licence at the roadside for three days. If it happens again within five years, the suspension climbs to seven days and you’ll be forced to enroll in a remedial alcohol treatment program,” Cloes said.
“If it happens again within five years, the suspension will be 30 days and you will be subject to an ignition interlock licence condition for six months.”
All of this information will be added to people’s Ministry of Transportation drivers licence abstract, which can then be accessible by an insurance provider.
“Remember that driving is privilege, not a right.”
Inspector Scott Smith of the county OPP said,” These tougher new laws will make Ontario highways and roadways safer for drivers and pedestrians.”
Each year, approximately one quarter of all fatal collisions is alcohol related, and police want to help to reduce that statistic.
