Drinking and Driving - DUI

This is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada.  If you are convicted you can lose your license, be fined or be incarcerated.

Ways to be convicted of impaired driving

Your car does not have to be moving.  You can be charged if you are impaired behind the wheel and even if you have not started to drive the car.  Even if the keys are not in the ignition you can be charged. 

As long as the court can prove that there is the ability to drive the car then you may be charged.   For example, you are sleeping in the driver's seat and you leave your car keys on the passenger seat.

Myths about drinking and driving charges

DUI convictions result in a criminal record.  They do not automatically disappear after a certain amount of time.  If you are convicted of DUI it will stay on your Criminal record until you're pardoned.

New impaired driving laws in Ontario

The legal limit under the Criminal Code of Canada is .08. 

However, if you are caught within the range of .05 to .08 it will not result in a criminal charge. 

Any driver caught in Ontario with a blood alcohol level of .05 to .08, their car will be suspended for 3 days.

After the second offence within the same range, the car will be suspended for seven days and the driver will have to take an alcohol education course. 

On the third offence, the driver's licence is suspended for 30 days and will have to take an alcohol treatment program and must have an ignition interlock condition placed in their vehicle for 6 months.

Tips

• 1. If you plan on drinking do not drive. Make arrangements to have someone pick you up or have some extra money put aside for a taxi cab
• 2. If you are tired or stressed alcohol can affect your ability to drive. Do not drink if you're tired or stressed.
• 3. Don't do drugs. You don't have to drink to be convicted of impaired driving.