Stephen Horsman proposes stiffer penalties for drunk drivers

The province plans to implementmandatory ignition interlockfor impaired drivers andtougher sanctions on those who drive while impaired, the minister of public safety announced on Thursday.

Stephen Horsmanintroduceda bill on Thursday that will take a tougher stand on those who drink and drive.

• Stephen Horsman signals shift to mandatory interlock devices

Ignition interlock technologyis similar to a breathalyzer and prevents adriver from starting the car without a clean breath sampleand,Horsman says,is the biggest change to the legislation, by far.

It's a good Christmas present.- Kali O'Dell, Fredericton chapter, MADD

Along withapromised increase in penalties, Horsman says there will be changes to howvehicles are impounded and for how long, and there will be a crackdown on drivers who have alcohol levels between point-zero-five and point-zero-eight.

"So for people who get caught today and blow a warning, they're given seven-day suspension," said Horsman.

"So we're going to start capturing that. So if they do it again, it's going to be a stiffer penalty. If they do it again, a stiffer penalty."

'We all cried'

Kali O'Dell, director of awareness and education for the Fredericton chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving,was at the legislature on Thursday for Horsman's announcement.

O'Dell, 21, lostboth of her parents to an impaired driver in a devastating accident in Salisbury in2006. Her younger brother was seriously injured in that accident,and both siblings have spoken out against drinking and driving.

She says MADD has been advocating formandatory interlock in thisprovince for years.

"The mandate has kind of been danced around for a long time,but it's nice to see a minister who's willing to push for it," said O'Dell.

"I don't want anyone else to live through what we had to live through."

She sayswhen word came the government was moving forward with the legislation, "We all cried my entire chapter has been very, very thankful that we've gotten to be involved in the process ... it's a good Christmas present.

Horsman also saysthe new legislation will give policeofficers the power to suspend drivers for 24 hours, even if there is no sign of alcohol, but they were driving erratically or in a distractedmanner. He saysofficers will have to justify that decision in their regular reports.

"I think that's prudent," he said.