With the holiday season upon us, the Barriere RCMP would like to bring to the public’s attention to a new impaired driving law - Bill C-46 - which came into effect on December 18, 2018.
Bill C-46 created a legislative authority which allows officers to conduct mandatory alcohol screening.
Previously, peace officers who conducted roadside traffic stops to interdict impaired driving required a suspicion of alcohol consumption by the driver, such as an odour of liquor or an admission of consumption.
Under the new law, no suspicion is required. Instead, officers can immediately demand a breath sample at roadside from any driver. Refusal or failure to provide a sample carries the same penalties as impaired driving.
The time required to obtain and test a breath sample at roadside is very brief, typically less than a minute.
The new law also sets out what constitutes an illegal level of THC in the blood while driving, and allows officers to make demands for saliva to test for various drugs.
The Barriere RCMP would like to thank our community’s designated drivers and wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season. And remember - if you are drinking alcohol or using marijuana, don’t drive!