Pubdate: Wed, 29 Nov 2006
Source: Red Deer Express (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Red Deer Express
Contact:  http://www.reddeerexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2920
Author: Bob Mills

CRACKING DOWN ON IMPAIRED DRIVERS

Canada's new government is taking action to protect the lives of
innocent people from those who drive under the influence of drugs and
alcohol.

Legislative reforms introduced last week will ensure that
drug-impaired drivers face similar testing to that which drunk drivers
now face.

The government is also giving police better tools to detect and
investigate drug and alcohol-impaired driving, and increasing the
penalties convicted impaired drivers face.

The government will be providing more tools for the police. They will
be able to demand that a person suspected of driving while impaired by
alcohol or a drug participate in a sobriety test at the roadside and
police will be able to demand that a person suspected of driving while
impaired by a drug participate in physical tests and bodily fluid
sample tests.

Proposed reforms to the Criminal Code include increasing penalties.
Drivers will be charged with if found in possession of an illicit drug.

Drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding .08 will face a life
sentence penalty in the case of causing death, and a maximum 10-year
sentence in the case of causing bodily harm.

Impaired drivers will face higher mandatory minimum penalties. For a
first offence, the fine will increase from $600 to $1,000, for a
second offence, sentencing will increases from 14 days to 30 days, and
for a third offence, sentencing increases from 90 days to 120 days.

In the past eight months, Canada's new government has introduced a
number of initiatives to tackle crime and protect the safety and
security of Canadians.

These include legislation to impose stricter conditions on dangerous
offenders; end conditional sentences for serious offences; implement
mandatory minimum sentences for crimes involving guns; raise the age
of consent for sexual activity from 14 to 16 years and crack down on
street racing.

These are fine examples of our government getting things done for
families and taxpayers by working to keep our streets safe.

Until next time. . . 
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath