Over the past five years the Ontario government has demonstrated its commitment to get tough with drinking drivers with one of the most comprehensive anti-drinking and driving programs in Canada. Bill 131, The Ignition Interlock Act, adds to other government initiatives aimed at tackling drinking and driving, including increased timelines for license suspensions and mandatory education/treatment programs for offenders.
An ignition interlock system is a breath alcohol analyzer connected to the ignition system of a vehicle. Once a vehicle is outfitted with an interlock device it cannot be started unless the driver passes a breath alcohol test.
Current interlock devices are quite sophisticated and contain various anti-circumvention features. These include: temperature and pressure sensors that prevent the use of filtered breath samples; "hum tone" recognition; and breath pulse codes. These features are intended to prevent a bystander from providing a sample for the impaired driving offender. Moreover, repeated failed tests result in a lockout of the system, and the driver will be unable to start the vehicle. Finally, the wires and circuit on the interlock are sealed so that it is easy to detect attempts to tamper with the device. The interlocks data log records all attempts to drive the vehicle, the driver's blood alcohol concentration and any actions that indicate tampering.
Furthermore, many interlock devices require "rolling retests" - repeated breath tests at random intervals after the vehicle has been started. These retests help to prevent the vehicle from being started by a friend or passenger with a low blood alcohol concentration, to detect drivers whose blood alcohol concentration is still rising, and to prevent the driver from leaving the vehicle idling while he or she drinks.
The Ignition Interlock Act does not alter current sentencing for drunk driving offences but adds to them. After serving a legislated license suspension, the new law would prohibit the offender from driving any motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device. After one year of license reinstatement, the offender may apply to have this condition lifted from their license. A second-time offender may apply to have the condition lifted after three years of reinstatement. If a third-time offender's license is reinstated then the condition is permanent and will never be lifted.
Endorsed by both MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving) and the OCCID (Ontario Community council on Impaired Driving), this new law targets both first time and repeat impaired driving offenders. It will save lives and prevent serious injuries on our roadways.
To view a copy of this legislation, please click here.