Impaired driving is the top criminal cause of death and injury in Canada. Over 69,500 impaired driving occurrences were reported to the police in 2017, with nearly 3,500 drug-impaired driving incidents. It’s important to remember that provinces and territories have their laws and regulations. Verify the legislation in your area if you stay in Canada.
Brett McGarry successfully defended a number of serious criminal charges in and around Ontario and Ottawa. Several of Brett’s clients are individuals or professionals who have never dealt with the criminal court system before. Brett’s criminal defense practice focuses on drunken driving cases. As a skilled Ottawa DUI lawyer, he has a successful track record of defending impaired driving accusations in Ottawa and throughout Ontario. Brett can meticulously evaluate the evidence and provide a thorough defense as your criminal attorney.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to the impaired driving/DUI criminal defense lawyer services. Simply go through them and add them along with your additional questions.
What does Impaired driving mean?
Impaired driving means that you are operating a vehicle while your capacity to do so has been harmed in any way by consuming:
- Alcohol
- Drugs like Cannabis, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and illegal substance.
- Impaired driving regulations not only apply to cars and trucks, but also persons operating boats, off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles. If authorities determine that you have medication or alcohol in your system, or that you are impaired by any substance, you could face serious repercussions and criminal prosecution.
What is Canada’s zero-tolerance law?
If you’re a young, beginner, or industrial driver in Canada, you can’t have any alcohol in your system if you’re:
- 21 years old or below.
- a driver who holds a G1, G2, M1, or M2 license and is operating a vehicle that requires an A-F driver’s license or an industrial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR).
- Operating a road constructing a vehicle.
Come up with a plan ahead of time to avoid drinking and driving.
What are the penalties?
Police have tools and tests to detect inebriated drivers, as well as drug screening equipment and sobriety testing on the sidelines.
- If the police confirm that you’re driving while intoxicated, you’ll face the following penalties:
- Immediate suspension of a driver’s license,
- Fines that can reach a maximum of $1000, and reinstatement fees of $450.
- Enrollment in education or treatment programs, and vehicle internment.
Penalties vary depending on your age, license type, the amount of alcohol or medicine in your system, and the number of times you’ve been convicted or had your license suspended.
Taking no chances is the best strategy to avoid intoxicated driving. Consider taking a different option home:
- Employ public transportation with a designated driver.
- For a ride, call a friend or family member.
- Take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service and stay the night.
It is not only about being penalized and fined, but it is also about saving lives. Numerous road accidents are due to impaired driving. Let’s not kill anyone just for a few drops of alcohol. Think wisely, ‘don’t drink and drive!’