Government Services
Justice
Education
June 16, 2010
Legislative Changes Get
Tough on Impaired and Careless Driving
Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act
will enhance enforcement against impaired driving, speeding in school
zones and distracted driving. Bill 27 is now before the House of
Assembly as part of the Provincial Government's on-going commitment to
raising awareness of unsafe driving habits and preventing vehicle
collisions and injuries on the province's roadways.
"Safety on all of our roadways is a
priority for our government, and we are pleased to bring forward
amendments that will help ensure this safety," said the Honourable Kevin
O'Brien, Minister of Government Services. "Along with increased
enforcement measures for impaired driving and school zone speeding, we
have placed a particular emphasis on habits that interfere with driving
safety such as reading and sending text messages or programming GPS
devices. Strengthening enforcement against all of these unsafe driving
habits will help to educate people about the dangers of impaired and
careless driving and, we hope, help reduce injuries and deaths on our
roads."
Increased enforcement for impaired
driving includes the following proposed changes:
- Authorize police to use random stops
of vehicles as a means to determine whether drivers are impaired,
driving while having a suspended licence or driving without
insurance, among other serious offences;
- Expand upon police officers' powers
of arrest without warrant for more serious offences;
- Increase the current 24-hour
suspension to a minimum of seven days (14 days for a repeat offence)
for drivers with a blood alcohol level of between .05 per cent and
.08 per cent;
- Introduce a 90-day suspension for a
driver whose blood alcohol is .08 per cent or more, as measured
through a blood sample (the suspension begins on the 14th day
following the person's receipt of a copy of the analysis report);
and,
- Reduce the allowable blood alcohol
level to 0.0 per cent, from the current .05 per cent, for drivers
accompanying a novice driver.
"Enhanced enforcement will act as a
deterrent against impaired driving, by increasing the likelihood of
detection by authorities and raising the penalties for offences," said
the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
"These legislative changes will enable the Royal Newfoundland
Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to further protect
the public from impaired drivers. Both police forces will be in a better
position to identify and deal with impaired drivers whose actions
continue to be a serious concern for this province, despite the
widespread opinion that drinking or taking drugs and then driving is
just not acceptable."
Bill 27 also helps to protect school
children by doubling the fines for speeding in school zones. This is
similar to measures which increased fines for speeding in highway
construction zones last year, to help protect workers on road
improvement projects.
"Watching out for school children must be
uppermost in drivers" minds when they are driving in school zones," said
the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "Speeding is simply
not acceptable. This amendment reinforces the importance this government
places on road safety, especially the safety of our children."
Other provinces and territories have also
doubled fines for speeding in school zones, including Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
The Highway Traffic Act will also
be amended to prohibit dangerous driving habits, including the use of
electronic devices such as cell phones, Blackberries and iPhones to send
or read text messages, or programming GPS devices while the vehicle is
in motion and can distract drivers from driving safely.
Drivers convicted of a violation will be
subject to a minimum fine of $100, with a maximum fine of $400, and the
accumulation of four demerit points. These penalties correspond with
those administered for cell phone usage while driving. The legislation
applies to all drivers — the only exceptions will be for making an
emergency call and for police, ambulance and fire vehicles in the course
of their duties.
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island,
Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia now have similar
legislation, banning not only cell phones but also the use of additional
and newer electronic devices.
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2010 06 16
9:15 a.m.
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