The province is ramping up penalties big-time: impaired driving causing death now carries a lifetime licence suspension
- Ontario is ramping up impaired-driving penalties beginning January 1, 2025
- The use of ignition interlock devices will increase dramatically, says the province
- Lifetime driving bans will now also be handed out if the DUI leads to death
Strict new regulations targeting Ontario drivers who choose to drive whilst impaired have just come into effect at the beginning of this year. The changes were initially announced last May, pending the passing of legislation. Starting immediately, anyone convicted of impaired driving will have to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, and also undergo mandatory education and treatment for first- and second-time alcohol- and drug-related offences, respectively.
For those unfamiliar, an interlock is an breath-analysis device in a car that prevents the engine from starting if alcohol is detected in the driver’s sample.
Also, anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death will receive a lifetime licence suspension.
“Everyone deserves to return home to their loved ones safely at the end of the day,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, in a statement released when the changes were outlined last year. “Too many families in Ontario have had their lives torn apart by the careless and shameful actions of impaired drivers. That’s why our government is introducing tough new measures, including lifetime licence suspensions, that will protect families and keep our communities safe.”
As for 12-month totals, figures touted by the Ontario Provincial Police show an upward trend in impaired driving charges during the three-year period from 2021 to 2023. In fact, the OPP says it laid about 9,500 charges in 2021; just over 10,000 in 2022; and greater than 11,000 in the 2023 calendar year.