Halton Police Remind Motorists of Key Highway Traffic Act Changes

The Halton Regional Police Service would like to remind the public of the recent changes to the Highway Traffic Act, which came into effect August 1st.

Effective August 1st, 2010, all drivers under the age of 22, including those who hold a full (unrestricted) licence, will be subject to a new “Zero blood alcohol concentration” condition on their Ontario driver’s licence. Any novice or young driver violating this condition will be subject to an immediate 24-hour driver’s licence suspension and a Highway Traffic Act charge of $85 plus surcharge.

“In Halton, we are seeing a definite correlation between speed and alcohol and serious injury or fatal motor vehicle collisions among young drivers,” said HRPS Deputy Chief of Operations Bob Percy. “This new legislation will serve as an extra deterrent to encourage all motorists to drive to arrive alive.”

Effective August 3, 2010, drivers convicted of an impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, or suspended for registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 to 0.08 three or more times in a five-year period will be subject to Ontario’s Ignition Interlock Program.

The Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program will allow eligible drivers convicted for a first time alcohol-impaired driving offence to reduce their licence suspension in return for meeting specific requirements, such as the mandatory installation of an approved ignition interlock device in their vehicle. Program participants must abide by the program’s conditions and requirements for ignition interlock installation and use.

An ignition interlock device is an in-car alcohol breath screening device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a pre-set limit of .02 (20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood). The device is located inside the vehicle near the driver’s seat, and is connected to the engine’s ignition system.

Before starting the vehicle, a driver must blow into the device. If the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the pre-set limit, the vehicle will not start. Once the vehicle is started, the interlock device requires the driver to provide breath samples at random pre-set times while the engine is running. If a sample is not provided, or if the BAC exceeds the limit, the device will issue a warning, record the event and activate specific alarm systems until the ignition is turned off.

For additional information on road safety, or to file a police report online, visit the Halton Regional Police Service website at www.haltonpolice.ca

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