55 www.rnca.ca Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association Highway Traffic Act Changes Aim to Reduce Impaired Driving The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking important steps toward improving public safety by introducing amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to strengthen impaired driving laws. “The consequences of impaired driving have devastating and far-reaching effects for families and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Today, government is taking action to make our highways safer for everyone by making changes that will prevent impaired drivers from committing repeat offences, and help the young people of our province develop sober driving habits.” - The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Service NL The proposed amendments will expand the province’s vehicle impoundment program, making it mandatory for a police officer to order the vehicle of an impaired driver to be impounded. This amendment will reduce the ability of impaired drivers to commit repeat impaired driving offences. The amendments also include the introduction of a mandatory ignition interlock program as a condition for driver’s licence reinstatement following a conviction for impaired driving. This amendment will give convicted impaired drivers an opportunity to develop sober driving habits. Additionally, drivers less than 22 years of age will be required to maintain a blood alcohol content (BAC) of zero per cent. The intent of this amendment is to give young drivers the opportunity to form good driving habits that separate alcohol consumption from driving. The amendments were developed through extensive consultation with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and with the support of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “MADD Canada welcomes this legislation. The measures being proposed are effective ways to reduce impaired driving, and reduce crashes, deaths and injuries. We thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its leadership in bringing these measures forward, and its commitment to improving road safety in the province.” - Patricia Hynes-Coates, National President, MADD Canada Service NL will work closely with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour and the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation to raise awareness, particularly among young people about the new legislation. www.gov.nl.ca Young people have the highest rates of traffic death and injury due to impaired driving. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16 to 25 year olds, and alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in 50% of those crashes. 16-25 year olds constituted 13.6% of the population in 2010, but made up almost 33.4% of the impairment-related traffic deaths.
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