Drinking and Driving: - Myths & Facts

 

Myth: Drinking coffee will sober me up.

Fact: No matter how much coffee you drink, it won’t get rid of the alcohol in your system. You will be a wide-awake drunk though. Time is the only thing that can reverse alcohol impairment.

 

Myth: I don’t drink the hard liquor.

Fact: No matter what you drink, alcohol is alcohol. In measured amounts, beer has the same effect on your body as straight whiskey. One beer has as much alcohol as a 1.5 ounce shot of alcohol or a 5-ounce glass of wine.

 

Myth: I just need to roll down the window and I’m fine.

Fact:  As we stated earlier, only time can reverse impairment. Roll down the window or turn on the air conditioner all you want. It does nothing to sober you up.

 

Myth: I can just splash my face with some cold water/take a cold shower.

Fact:  It won’t help. While you’ll be a clean drunk driver, you are still not a safe driver.

 

 

Alcohol Impaired Driving Laws

 

For Class 7 and 5-GDLLicence Holders

• Must have BAC of .00 when operating a vehicle, If violated:

1. Immediate 30-day licence suspension
2. 7-day vehicle seizure
3. Must be suspension-free for 1year to exit GDL program

 

For Class 5 Non GDL (Full Advance)Licence Holders

• If BAC is between 0.05 and 0.08

 

For All Classes GDL, Non GDL or Professional Licence Holders

• If BAC more than 0.08 or refusal to give breath/blood sample (Federal Criminal Code charges) Police will press criminal charges immediately. The Judge will decide other fines and consequences when criminal conviction is resolved.

Alberta has progressive administrative sanctions for impaired driving convictions:

• 1st Criminal Code Charge within 10 years immediate 2-stage, fixed termdriving suspension consisting of 2 distinct parts:

1. 90-day driving suspension where the suspended driver is unable to drive under any circumstances, AND
2. Further 1-year driving suspension where the suspended driver may be eligible to drive on a condition that they participate in the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program. If they choose not to participate, they will remain suspended during this 1-year term with no ability to drive legally.
3. Towing and impound charges
4. 3 day vehicle seizure
5. If convicted of the criminal code offence, the driver is suspended for 1 year and must participate in the mandatory Ignition Interlock Program for 1 year
6. If convicted, the driver must complete a "Planning Ahead" impaired driving course

• 2nd Criminal Code Charge within 10 years, immediate 2-stage, fixed term driving suspension consisting of 2 distinct parts:

1. 90-day driving suspension where the suspended driver is unable to driver under any circumstances, AND
2. further 1-year driving suspension where the suspended driver may be eligible to drive on a condition that they participate in the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program. If they choose not to participate, they will remain suspended during this 1-year term with no ability to drive legally.
3. towing and impound charges
4. 7 day vehicle seizure
5. if convicted of the criminal code offence, the driver is suspended for 3 years and must also participate in the mandatory Ignition Interlock Program for 3 years
6. if convicted, the driver must complete an "IMPACT" weekend impaired driving course, which may include assessment and monitoring

• 3rd Criminal Code Charge within 10 years, immediate 2-stage, fixed term driving suspension consisting of 2 distinct parts:

1. 90-day driving suspension where the suspended driver is unable to driver under any circumstances, AND
2. Further 1-year driving suspension where the suspended driver may be eligible to drive on a condition that they participate in the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program. If they choose not to participate, they will remain suspended during this 1-year term with no ability to drive legally.
3. towing and impound charges
4. 7 day vehicle seizure
5. If convicted of the criminal code offence, the driver is suspended for 5 years and must also participate in the mandatory Ignition Interlock Program for 5 years
6. complete the "IMPACT" course or equivalent which may include assessment and monitoring attend a hearing with the Alberta Transportation Safety Board

Drivers convicted of an impaired driving offence that causes death or injury will receive a mandatory 5 year suspension of their driving privileges. Regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings, the AALS will remain in effect and drivers will be suspended for the full 90 days and 1-year suspension term. The burden of proof for criminal charges is much higher than administrative sanctions, and as you were deemed unsafe at the time of the event by law enforcement, the administrative suspension will stand.

 

BEING A RESPONSIBLE PROACTIVE DRIVER IS SIMPLE: IF YOU DRINK, DO NOT DRIVE.

 

 

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