Drivers will be subject to mandatory roadside breath tests under new alcohol-impaired driving legislation that kicks in Dec. 18.

Bill C-46 passed in June, and the new rules allow police to demand a roadside breath test from any driver stopped for a traffic violation such as speeding or disobeying a traffic light, or during a RIDE spot check.

Under the current law, police can only demand a roadside breath test if they “develop a suspicion” that a driver has been drinking, according to Peel police road safety services Const. Alex Scharchilli. Officers develop that suspicion in various ways — odour of alcohol, admission of drinking, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech.

But Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould told a news conference recently that as many 50 per cent of impaired drivers can conceal those signs of impairment and go undetected in RIDE spot checks.