Alcohol and Road Safety

If you are breathalysed and are 0.08 over the blood alcohol limit, you are drink driving. If you operate a car with a blood drug concentration that exceeds the prescribed amount, this also constitutes to being over the limit.

Penalties:

First offence

• 80-119 mg: minimum $1,000 fine
• 120-159 mg: minimum $1,500 fine
• 160 mg or more: minimum $2,500 fine
• Refuse to be tested: minimum $2,000 fine

Second offence

• Minimum 30 days imprisonment

Third offence or more

• Minimum 120 days imprisonment

Maximum penalties

• For impaired driving causing no bodily harm or death: summary conviction carries two years less a day imprisonment, indictment carries 10 years imprisonment
• Impaired driving causing bodily harm: Summary conviction for less severe injuries carries two years less a day imprisonment, indictment carries 14 years imprisonment
• Impaired driving causing death: life imprisonment

Sources:

• https://canadasafetycouncil.org/canada-s-blood-alcohol-laws-among-strictest-western-world/
• https://globalnews.ca/news/4769690/canada-impaired-driving-laws/

Read more about road rules to follow for visitors driving in Canada.