Alberta is really setting a precedent in terms of strengthening their approach to impaired driving. Alberta is no longer focused on fines and demerit points, as they believe that they are not the solution. Instead they have designed a new legislation unique to Alberta that revolves around mandatory coursework and mandatory Ignition Interlock installations, making education and enforcement central to their approach.
Just to recap, as of July 1st, 2012, all new drivers with a BAC over 0.00 receive an immediate 30-day license suspension and a 7-day vehicle seizure.
Also as of July 1, 2012 all drivers with a BAC over 0.08 receive:
A criminal charge
Immediate license suspension until criminal charge is resolved
1st charge includes a sustained license suspension and 3-day vehicle seizure, plus a “Planning Ahead” course.
2nd charge includes a sustained license suspension, 7- day vehicle seizure, “Impact” course.
3rd charge includes a sustained license suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, plus the “Impact” course.
The installation of an Ignition Interlock Device is mandatory after a criminal conviction – 1 year for 1st conviction; 3 years for 2nd conviction; 5 years for 3rd conviction.
Starting September 1, 2012, all drivers with a BAC from 0.05-0.08 are subject to the following:
1st offence - Immediate 3-day license suspension and 3-day vehicle seizure.
2nd offence - Immediate 15-day license suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, “Planning Ahead” course.
3rd offence - Immediate 30-day license suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, “Impact” course.
The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) administers and delivers the Alberta Impaired Drivers Program (AIDP) for Alberta Transportation. A convicted impaired driver must take the program to have his/her operator's license reinstated.
What do these mandatory courses consist of?
Planning Ahead is a one-day course designed to prevent impaired driving amongst first-time impaired drivers. Prepared for and delivered to over 4,000 participants across 18 towns and cities in Alberta per year, this condensed, content rich course helps participants learn:
How to make an action plan to prevent impaired driving
How to separate drinking and drug use from driving
The importance of zero tolerance and driving
How alcohol and drugs impair driving abilities
Interpreting the correlation between alcohol and drug use and the increased risk of impaired driving and various other life problems
Impact is weekend-long, live-in alcohol and/or drug use assessment and pre-treatment course. This course is designed for drivers who have received two or more impaired driving convictions within a 10-year period. Impact aims to prevent its participants from engaging in impaired driving and helps to reduce their alcohol and/or drug related problems. Impact is prepared for and delivered to over 1,000 participants per year throughout Alberta. Those who participate in the Impact course:
Assess how alcohol and/or drug use has impacted their lives
Look at possible life problems that may have contributed or caused their alcohol and/or drug use
Create an action plan to better themselves and deal with their problems
Receive an Assessment Summary Report with recommendations for follow-ups