The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
As part of the province's efforts to make streets safer, Manitoba has introduced legislation that would provide tougher consequences for convicted impaired drivers and street racers. Bill 21, introduced last week, would ensure convicted impaired drivers could have their vehicles impounded if they do not follow the rules of the ignition interlock program. As well, amendments to the Highway Traffic Act introduced Monday would increase the impoundment period for vehicles used in street racing from 48 hours to seven days. Police officers would be given the power to immediately suspend for one week the driver's licence of anyone caught street racing. 'We will continue to introduce tougher sanctions for street racers and use every tool at our disposal to discourage this illegal and dangerous behaviour,' said Justice Minister Andrew Swan, 'while continuing our work to remain a leader with some of the toughest drinking and driving legislation in the country.' Under the existing legislation, street racers may also face other sanctions including fines of up to $5,000 and driver's licence suspensions of up to one year. Serious street racing incidents can result in criminal charges, jail time and vehicle forfeiture. Bill 21 would build on amendments to the Highway Traffic Act passed in 2012, which expanded the ignition interlock program to all convicted impaired drivers and required them to apply for a restricted ignition interlock driver's licence if they wished to drive in the time period immediately after their licence suspension ends. If these requirements are not met, individuals can be charged with driving while disqualified. The changes would clarify the consequences for this offence, which include vehicle impoundment. Convicted impaired drivers participating in the ignition interlock program are required to do so for one year for a first or second conviction, three years for a third conviction and for life for a fourth or subsequent conviction. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release
