Strict new drunk-driving law delayed
Posted Dec 4, 2009 06:52:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tougher drunk driving legislation won’t be implemented in time for the Christmas season.
The new law, which includes longer license suspensions and higher fines for impaired drivers, has been held up while justice officials review the wording.
“It does disappoint me personally, particularly with the Christmas season upon us,” said Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks. “At this stage, that legislation will not be enacted until the new year.”
This week, MADD Canada gave the province a ‘B’ for it’s anti-drunk driving campaign. Estabrooks says the legislation is just one way the province is working to improve its grade.
He says the other part of the plan include a focus on better education, in hopes that drunk driving doesn’t happen at all.
“Particularly with new drivers and the fact of making it absolutely socially unacceptable to be behind the wheel and have a drink,” he said.
Justice Minister Ross Landry says he’s pleased that Nova Scotia’s grade is a B this year, up from a D – but says there’s more work to do.
“When we don’t have any people drinking and driving, then we’ve reached our goal,” he said. “That’s where I want to go.”
The new legislation means drivers caught with a blood alcohol level between .05 and .08 will have their license suspended for a week.
