Driving laws
Federal: Criminal Code of Canada Offences related to impaired driving are:
- impaired driving regardless of blood alcohol or drug content
- blood alcohol level over the legal limit
- drug or drug-alcohol combination or a toxicological (blood or urine) sample
- refusing to provide a breath or blood sample
- impaired driving causing bodily harm
- impaired driving causing death
- driving while suspended or disqualified.
If you are found guilty under the Criminal Code of Canada of driving while impaired, and you have:
- been found guilty under the various sub-sections of section 320 of the Criminal Code of Canada, you will be disqualified from driving and your licence will be suspended for one year from the date of the finding of the guilt.
- a prior offence in the last 10 years, you will be disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for three years from the date of the conviction.
- two or more prior offences in the last 10 years, you will be disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for five years from the date of the conviction.
- if a death or injury occurs as a result of an impaired offence, the minimum licence suspension is five years even for a first offender.
Provincial: Traffic Safety Act,
Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program
Alberta has one impaired driving program called the Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) program. This impaired driving program includes a multi-tiered escalating approach to deter impaired driving. Impaired drivers will receive immediate and significant penalties at roadside that include:
- escalating driver’s licence suspensions
- escalating fines
- escalating vehicle seizure lengths
- mandatory education programs
- the Ignition Interlock Program IRS: 24-hour
The IRS: 24-hour program applies to drivers whose ability to operate a motor vehicle has been impaired by a physical or medical condition, or by drugs or alcohol. A 24-hour licence disqualification will be issued.