Get 2010 Started Right: Plan To Get Home Safely

December 30, 2009 9:24 AM

McGuinty Government Reminds Ontarians To Drive Soberly

To help Ontarians have a safe and memorable New Year's celebration, drivers are reminded to plan ahead for a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel after drinking.  

About one-quarter of all fatalities on Ontario roads are alcohol-related. That is why Ontario has some of the toughest impaired driving laws in North America.  Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration from 0.05 to 0.08 (the "warn" range) face an immediate driver's licence suspension of three days for the first instance, seven days for the next, and 30 days for third and subsequent instances.  

Drivers caught with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit — 0.08 or higher — will have their licences immediately suspended for 90 days.  If convicted, these drivers face a minimum one-year licence suspension and will have an ignition interlock condition placed on their driver's licence for at least one year after that.  Convicted impaired drivers must also participate in a remedial alcohol education or treatment programs.


Quick Facts

  • A recent report by Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada ranked Ontario as having the most effective impaired driving laws in Canada.
  • You don't need to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher to be impaired. A driver with a blood alcohol concentration from 0.05 to 0.08 is about seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than someone who has not been drinking.
  • In 2006, drinking and driving was a contributing factor in 190 deaths on Ontario roads.

Learn More


Contacts

  • Bob Nichols
    Communications Branch
    416-327-1158
    Bob.Nichols@nullontario.ca
  • David Salter
    Minister's Office
    647-222-5162
  • Emna Dhahak
    Communications Branch
    416-327-9149
    emna.dhahak@nullontario.ca

Ministry of Transportation
ontario.ca/transportation