Manitoba introduces tougher drinking and driving law

Ignition interlock use will now be a requirement for all convicted impaired drivers who want to drive legally following their licence suspension, Manitoba’s justice minister Andrew Swan announced Thursday. 

The new rules come into effect on Dec. 15 and will now include drivers convicted of an impaired driving offence for the first time.

“Manitoba is once again setting the pace in the battle against drinking and driving,” Swan said.  “Expansion of the mandatory ignition interlock program sends an even stronger message that impaired driving is not acceptable in Manitoba and will not be tolerated.”

The new law expands Manitoba’s mandatory ignition interlock program, which currently applies to drivers who are granted conditional licensing during an active alcohol-related suspension, repeat convicted offenders or first offences with aggravating factors (bodily injury/death or impaired driving with a child passenger).

The mandatory ignition interlock term lengths are:

•     one year for the first conviction,
•     one year for the second conviction,
•     three years for the third conviction, and
•     lifetime for the fourth and subsequent convictions.

“Manitoba is committed to ending impaired driving in our province,” said Swan.  “This serves notice that drinking and driving will not be tolerated on Manitoba’s roads and highways.”