A new Canadian law gives police permission to test drivers for both alcohol and drug use when impaired driving is suspected. The law, titled the Tackling Violent Crime Act, went into effect July 2, 2008.

"The new legislation empowers Canadian police who suspect a driver of being impaired by any drug, illegal, prescription, or over the counter, to conduct a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, a roadside test of physical coordination. If found to be impaired, the driver must submit to a mandatory Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) assessment...."

A DEC assessment is an hourlong 12-step process that is conducted by a Drug Recognition Expert. The law also includes new penalties, including a minimum $1,000 fine for the first offense, and no less than 30 days in jail for the second. Source: CNW Group

Labels: canada, drunk_driving, sobriety_test