By Ian Holmes

New breathalyzer rules targeting alcohol to take effect

Dec 12, 2018 | 4:37 PM

NANAIMO — Police officers across Canada will soon be able to demand motorists take a breathalyzer even if no signs of alcohol impairment are shown.

Beefed up federal impaired driving laws take effect on Tuesday, Dec. 18., which allow for mandatory breath samples during traffic or roadside check stops.

Central Island Traffic Services RCMP Sgt. Darrin Ramey said police previously had to suspect a driver was under the influence before a breath test could be issued.

“They may not be stumbling and falling down, but their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by alcohol and this is going to help us catch those people,” Ramey told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Ramey said police will have the ability to screen more people, which he said could mean longer waits at roadside check stops.

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“It might take an extra few minutes to get from point A to B on a Friday night, but I think the public should be secure knowing we’re getting more impaired drivers off the road.”

Ramey said the legislation is significant since the original federal impaired driving laws only had minor tweaks over the last 40-years.

Cpl. Terry Crawford, who heads Nanaimo RCMP’s traffic unit, said he didn’t anticipate a massive shift to their impaired driving strategy.

“It is another tool in the tool box for sure, but to be honest I don’t see how we do business now compared to after Dec. 18 changing too drastically.”

The bill also increases maximum prison sentences for driving related offences involving bodily harm and death.

ICBC reported impaired driving kills an average of nine people annually on Vancouver Island.

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