Drunk driving To Be Largely Decriminalized In Alberta In 2018

Police to be given wide discretion whether to lay criminal charges or issue roadside sanctions

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Alberta is set to give police wide discretion to decide whether roadside administrative sanctions will be issued to drivers who blow over the legal limit versus criminal charges. Alberta impaired driving laws being revised to respond to pot legalization, court challenge Alberta should adopt B.C.'s impaired driving rules, says MADD Canada CEO Alberta government won't appeal court ruling that struck down impaired driving law Alberta Court of Appeal strikes down part of drunk driving law Changes are coming to the way drunk drivers are policed and prosecuted in Alberta with the provincial government set to issue a directive to police that will largely decriminalize impaired driving, CBC News has learned. Officers will be given wide discretion whether to criminally charge those who blow over the legal limit. But, for the most part, first time offenders will see roadside administrative sanctions rather than face criminal charges according to CBC sources. The model Alberta is working toward looks much like British Columbia's, with fines, roadside towing and licence suspensions issued by police instead of criminal charges being laid. Alberta government won't appeal court ruling that struck down impaired driving law The changes follow an Alberta Court of Appeal decision in May that struck down existing drunk driving laws. The province's top court found tying the suspension of a driver's licence to the outcome of their court case was unconstitutional. The NDP government was given one year to introduce new legislation. The first round of changes passed in November.

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Drunk driving to be largely decriminalized in Alberta in 2018 - Calgary - CBC News

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