Province releases details of new legislation to crack down on drug-impaired drivers

The Ontario government has released the details of its looming crackdown on drug-impaired drivers.

On Sunday, new legislation will come into effect that penalizes drug impairment the same as alcohol impairment.

Drivers who are impaired by drugs will face the following:

• A $180 penalty
• An immediate licence suspension of three days for the first occurrence, seven days for the second occurrence and 30 days for the third and subsequent occurrences upon failure of a roadside sobriety test
• A possible 90-day licence suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment following further testing by a drug recognition expert at a police station
• Mandatory education or treatment programs, and installation of an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, for drivers with two or more licence suspensions involving alcohol or drugs within a 10-year period

 

Currently, drivers impaired by drugs face criminal charges but do not face automatic licence suspensions like drunk drivers do.

The new legislation puts the offences on an even keel.

“Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, impaired driving is never okay,” Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said in a release. “Not only do you face tough penalties, but you risk your life and endanger everyone around you. It’s not worth the risk. If you’re not sober, don’t get behind the wheel.”

Police said back in May that more people were getting behind the wheel while high compared to last year. Police believe some drivers may be switching from alcohol to drugs because the latter is harder to spot.

Toronto police Const. Clint Stibbe told CityNews there is no technology available right now to screen people who are driving while high. Officers are using the “drug recognition observation” method to spot high drivers.