New laws targeting impaired driving in Alberta come into effect April 9 Mar 27, 2018 5:29 PM

EDMONTON, AB — New impaired driving laws will come into effect in Alberta in two weeks.

The province passed a law last fall, bringing in several new laws aimed at deterring drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. The new laws state that all criminally impaired drivers will receive a 90-day licence suspension, followed by mandatory participation in a one-year ignition interlock program.

Drivers who refuse to participate in the program will have their licence suspended for one year.

“The loss and suffering that result from impaired driving are unacceptable and entirely preventable,” said Transportation Minister Brian Mason in a statement. “As the country prepares for legalization of cannabis, we’ve strengthened our provincial impaired driving sanctions to make our roads safer and continue to deter impaired driving—whatever the source of impairment may be.”