Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jul 2008
Source: Riverview This Week (CN NK)
Copyright: 2008 Brunswick News Inc.
Contact: http://thisweek.canadaeast.com/onsite.php?page=contact
Website: http://riverviewthisweek.canadaeast.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4826
Author: Rob Moore
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TOUGHER IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS

On July 2, 2008 the final provisions of our government's Tackling 
Violent Crime Act came into effect. This legislation includes new 
measures to protect families and communities from those who drive 
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police now have better tools to detect and investigate drug- and 
alcohol-impaired driving. We are also increasing the penalties for 
impaired driving. Our government will continue to deliver on what is 
important to Canadians - the safety and security of their communities 
- - because protecting society is a priority for our government, not an 
afterthought.

Police officers are now authorized to conduct roadside sobriety tests 
to determine whether an individual is driving while under the 
influence of drugs and/or alcohol. They are also authorized to take a 
sample of a bodily fluid to confirm the presence of the impairing drug.

Any individual who refuses the officer's request for a sample to 
determine whether or not they are under the influence of a drug is 
now subject to the same Criminal Code offence as those who refuse 
breathalyzer tests.

Finally, our legislation also increases the penalties for impaired driving.

With the Tackling Violent Crime Act, our government is taking action 
to protect the lives of innocent people from those who drive under 
the influence of drugs and alcohol.

This is another example of our government getting things done for 
families and taxpayers by working to keep our streets safe.

I invite you to visit my website at http://www.robmooremp.com to keep 
up with developments in Ottawa. I also enjoy hearing from 
constituents and welcome your feedback and questions on issues 
important to you at * Rob Moore is MP for Fundy Royal. His column appears biweekly in 
Riverview This Week.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom