Newfoundland
Identification of Offenders. As in all other provinces, the police in Newfoundland use random roadchecks and approved screening devices to help enforce impaired driving laws. At present, Newfoundland does not have a 24-hour roadside suspension for drivers who have low levels of alcohol.
Criminal Code Offences. The provincial licence suspensions for impaired driving offences in Newfoundland are among the least severe in Canada -- four months for a first conviction and nine months for a second or subsequent conviction within two years.
Licence Reinstatement. Offenders can have their driver’s licence reinstated after completing the period of suspension, paying all outstanding fines as well as a $25 reinstatement fee. At present, there are no mandatory programs for offenders.
Future Initiatives. The government of Newfoundland has announced major changes to the procedures for dealing with impaired drivers that are proposed to come into effect next year. These include:
- 24 hour roadside suspension for driving with a BAC of 50 mg% as indicated by a "warn" on an approved screening device;
- a $100 licence reinstatement fee regardless of cause or duration of suspension (includes 24-hour suspensions);
- a two month suspension for accumulating 3 or more 24-hour suspensions in a two year period. Subsequent 24-hour suspensions lead to longer periods of suspension;
- mandatory attendance at a brief educational program following an alcohol-related suspension of 2
months or more ( i.e., after a first Criminal Code conviction or two 24-hour suspensions in 24 months);
and,
- screening for alcohol dependency required before reinstatement following a second Criminal Code
impaired driving conviction.
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