In the news

November 22, 2005

Senate Bill will establish new impaired driving law at 0.05% BAC level

Senator LeBreton looks to reduce risk of death and injury on roads

A Bill to set a new 0.05% BAC legal limit for drinking and driving was introduced today by Senator Marjory LeBreton, who believes this measure will 'significantly reduce the numbers of Canadians being killed and injured in impaired driving crashes.'

The new 0.05% BAC offence would complement existing Criminal Code impaired driving offences, yet it would differ from the current 0.08% BAC offence. The legislation establishes a ticket offence at 0.05% BAC, punishable by a $300 fine and a 45-day federal driving prohibition. Subsequent offences would be subject to escalating fines and prohibitions. The proposed offence would be subject to special provisions whereby a person's charge would be removed from his/her record after a clean two-year driving period. 

Senator Marjory LeBreton states the Bill will get drivers off the road at less impaired levels. "This will reduce the amount a person can currently drink and then legally drive. It doesn't stop people from having a drink with their meal, but it provides police with a further option for getting that person who has had too much to drink off the road and out of harm's way."

"The proposed .05% BAC offence is designed to deter impaired driving without being unduly punitive, or creating greater burdens on the police and the courts," Senator LeBreton adds, "The ticket option of pleading guilty without having to go to court may discourage accused persons from needlessly challenging the charges."

"This is a very reasonable approach to making our roads safer from impaired driving crashes," says Senator LeBreton. "A 0.05% BAC level is the appropriate legal limit when considering the risk impaired drivers pose to all motorists who must share the roads with them."

According to a poll conducted by SES and released today by MADD Canada, Canadians seem to agree with the Senator's assessment. In the November survey, 73 % of Canadians believe that current legal drinking limits should be reduced. When the proposed lower drinking limit was explained, 84% of Canadians felt this level was 'about right' or should be even lower.

If the Government is defeated and a General Election is called, Senator LeBreton plans to re-introduce her legislation in the new Parliament. "I've watched with interest in the last few weeks as the federal Justice Minister and provincial Attorneys General punt this issue back and forth like it was a political football. Reducing the legal limit is the right thing to do in our country. This measure will make our roads safer and greatly reduce the numbers of Canadians being killed and injured by impaired drivers. I strongly believe, with all due respect to Mr. Cotler and our provincial ministers, that the initiative should be introduced at the federal level where we can have a law uniformly introduced and implemented across our country."

For further information or to arrange an interview:

Sandy Melo, c/o Senator LeBreton
(613) 943-0756

Also see:

The elements of a workable 0.05% BAC Criminal Code Offence

Canadians overwhelmingly support lower drinking limits for drivers

SES Survey (PDF)