Canadian Drunk Driving Laws

By Jonathan Lister , eHow Contributor

Print this article

Related Searches:

Dwi Laws Driving Laws

1.

Penalties for DUI convictions increase dramatically for repeat offenders.

Driving under the influence is considered a serious offense in Canada. The country considers it so serious that it now bars entry into any province for non-citizens that have DUI convictions from other countries. Anyone looking to enter Canada with a prior DUI conviction, no matter how old, should consult with an immigration attorney before attempting to cross the border.

2. The Legal Limit

o

According to the website for the Canadian Department of Justice, the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is .08. Police officers use breathalyzer devices to determine blood alcohol levels in the field. If a driver's blood alcohol level is over the legal limit, he will then be taken into custody and driven to a local hospital, where a blood test is administered to make the final determination on his level of intoxication.

Driving Under the Influence

o

Driving under the influence is a tiered crime in Canada--drivers found to be over the legal blood alcohol limit are sentenced based on their number of previous offenses. First time DUI offenders in Canada are not sent to jail; instead, they receive a minimum fine of $1,000 and a 12-month driver's license suspension. Second-time offenders can be sentenced to a minimum of 30 days in jail, a minimum fine of $1,000 and a 24-month driver's license suspension. Third-time offenders may be sentenced to a minimum period of incarceration of 120 days, a minimum fine of $1,000 and a 36month driver's license suspension. The maximum jail sentence allowed for a DUI conviction is five years. Other conditions may be imposed at sentencing, such as drug and alcohol counseling and the installation of an ignition lock interface on any vehicles owned or operated by the offender.

Causing Bodily Harm

o

Causing someone bodily harm while intoxicated and behind the wheel of a vehicle is a serious offense in Canada. Should a person be proven to have been intoxicated at the time of an accident resulting in the injury of another person, the maximum prison term that he can be sentenced to is 10 years. This is in addition to any other fines and personal liability he may incur as the direct result of the crash, such as damage to property.

Causing Death

Causing the death of another person while legally intoxicated and behind the wheel of a vehicle carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The final prison sentence could be less, depending on any mitigating factors in the accident. But a person that has committed such an offense should not expect leniency from the court. Prosecution of a DUI offense resulting in a death is handled by Canada's federal government and not at the local level.

Read more: Canadian Drunk Driving Laws | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6691854_canadian-drunkdriving-laws.html#ixzz1bjACfvF7