The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would impose new, stronger licensing consequences on drivers convicted of impaired driving and refusal offences that cause bodily harm or death.
“Impaired driving poses a serious threat to public safety, as 10 per cent of fatal collisions in Manitoba in 2023 included impaired driving as a contributing factor,” said Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance. “Our government is committed to taking concrete action to protect our communities and improve road safety by introducing changes which reinforce that there are real and serious consequences for choosing to drink and drive.”
Proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act would increase the automatic driver’s licence suspension for a second conviction when a driver is convicted of an impaired driving or refusal offence that causes bodily harm or death. Currently, a driver convicted for the first time receives a five-year automatic licence suspension and if a driver is convicted of a second offence within 10 years, they receive an automatic 10-year licence suspension. The amendments would increase that second 10-year suspension to a lifetime suspension.
“MADD Canada congratulates the Manitoba government for the steps being taken to prevent impaired driving,” said Tanya Hansen Pratt, national president, MADD Canada. “Despite the progress that has been made, hundreds of people are killed and thousands more are injured every year in alcohol and drug-related crashes. It is important that those who cause the most harm are held accountable and given sanctions to prevent them from driving impaired again including lengthy driving bans and zero tolerance.”
“The MACP is committed to enforcing the law when it comes to impaired drivers,” said Insp. Michael Gagliardi, chair, Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police traffic safety committee. “We are hopeful that these new amendments will be a useful deterrent for those that choose to get behind the wheel impaired. Each year, we pull over thousands of vehicles, and unfortunately, we do see repeat offenders. Increasing the driver’s licence prohibition is sending a very strong message to all Manitobans. We hope for the safety of everyone, that these new amendments save lives.”
The amendments would also prohibit a person convicted of these offences from driving with any alcohol in their blood (zero per cent blood alcohol concentration). For a first conviction, the prohibition would last for seven years. For a second conviction within 10 years, it would result in a lifetime prohibition. Drivers who breach their alcohol prohibition would have sanctions imposed that mirror those under the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program, which include roadside suspension, vehicle impoundment and other sanctions that escalate with the number of breaches, such as referral for driver assessment, ignition interlock and financial administrative penalties.
