Yukon Territory

Identification of Offenders. Police in the Yukon use random roadchecks and approved screening devices to help enforce impaired driving laws. A police officer can suspend, for a period of 24 hours, the licence of any driver whose ability is affected by alcohol. The threshold BAC for roadside suspensions is 80 mg%. A report of all such suspensions is submitted by the police to Motor Vehicles and a record is made. Information about 24-hour suspensions is used by the courts, the Driver Control Board and the Registrar to help establish the driver’s record.

Criminal Code Offences. Drivers convicted of impaired driving under the Criminal Code are subjected to a 3-month suspension for a first offence, 12 months for a second offence, and 3 years for a third offence.

Licence Reinstatement. All offenders are required to serve the complete term of licence suspension, attend a remedial driver’s course, and pay a $35 reinstatement fee. Repeat offenders are also referred to the Driver Control Board for a hearing prior to reinstatement.

Future Initiatives. The Yukon government is presently considering several initiatives including: Graduated Driver Licensing which would include a zero BAC provision for novice drivers; increasing the reinstatement fee to $100 for a first offence, $200 for a second offence and $300 for subsequent offences; and implementing a new repeat violators program. The Whitehorse Correctional Centre is also developing programs for impaired drivers.