Chronic drunk drivers must install anti-drunk driving device
By Canadian Press
June 17, 2008

EDMONTON - Alberta is joining other provinces that require the worst drunk drivers to have a device in their vehicles that checks whether a driver is sober before the engine will start.

As of July 1, Alberta drivers who are convicted of having twice the legal alcohol limit or higher will be required to attach alcohol sensors to their vehicle ignition before they are allowed to drive again.

Ontario adopted the requirement six years ago and most other provinces also have some form of the so-called interlock program.

A government spokesman says drivers will have to pay to have the interlock devices installed as well as put up a monthly fee for monitoring.

Any driver forced to use the interlock device must use it for at least six months before a review determines whether it should be removed.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette says the policy change is needed to get Alberta's chronic drunk drivers off the road.