No Sign Of Mandatory Sentencing For Gun Crimes BUT....

Matt Gurney: Ontario introduces new blood alcohol rules to punish the innocent

Posted: May 06, 2009, 4:30 PM by NP Editor

In its latest effort to save us all from ourselves, Ontario's government has upped the penalties for being caught driving with a blood alcohol level of over .05. By law, anything over .08 is considered impaired, and is a crime subject to a license suspension of up to a year and a $600 fine, and possible imprisonment for a second offence. A blood alcohol level of between .05 and .079, however, is what's deemed the "warn zone." Previously, getting pulled over while in the warn zone earned you a 12-hour automatic license suspension and the hassle of having to get your car out of the impound lot. As of last Friday, however, it's a whole new ball game, and a downright Orwellian one at that. Imagine being pulled over for doing 70 kph in an 80 zone, because the police officer thinks you might speed. That doesn’t make much sense, and neither does this.

First time offenders will lose their license for three days, have their cars impounded, and be charged a $150 "administrative monetary penalty", which sounds a lot like a "fine." Second offences will result in a week-long license suspension, as well as the impoundment and monetary penalty and an alcohol education class. Third offences will see your license suspended for a month, the impounding and the penalty, as well as mandatory alcohol education classes and the burdensome installation of an "ignition interlock" device on your car. This requires an automated breath test before the car can be activated. In other words, until you blow in the straw, your car won't start.

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