People convicted of drug trafficking who drove a motor vehicle to commit the offence would face suspensions of their licence to drive under a proposed new provision of the Highway Traffic Act introduced by Attorney General Andrew Swan.
“The police tell us the use of motor vehicles has become an integral part of drug trafficking, especially in what is known as dial-a-dealer operations,” said Swan. “This legislative change would see the licences suspended of those who have abused the privilege of driving in order to deal drugs.”
Under the proposed legislation, those convicted of a drug-trafficking offence involving driving would have their driver’s licence suspended for one year for a first conviction, five years for a second conviction, 10 years for a third conviction and for life on a fourth or subsequent conviction. Not all of the previous convictions would need to be for drug trafficking. Under existing licence suspension provisions, certain other offences such as impaired driving or driving while disqualified count in determining who is a repeat violator.
The suspension would combat drug crime not only by keeping a person from driving, but also by preventing them from renting a vehicle, said Swan. A valid licence is required to rent a vehicle, and this would prevent drug traffickers from using rental cars to maintain their anonymity and to avoid vehicle forfeiture provisions of existing laws.
Police checking the licence plate of a vehicle will know if the registered owner is a suspended driver, providing an opportunity for police to stop someone suspended for drug trafficking from driving his or her vehicle to commit further drug-trafficking offences, the minister added.
No other federal or provincial law allows for driver’s licence suspensions as a consequence for drug trafficking where the offence is committed using a vehicle.
