Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education Additional Supports ...

Policy/Law Impact on Health
Driving while impaired:
• "Defined as a state where oneÕs ability to
concentrate and respond to situations
which occur while driving is reduced by
the use of substances or negligent
behaviour (e.g., alcohol, drugs, prescription
medications, drowsiness, cell phone use,
overcrowding)" Toronto Public Health,
2001.
• Effective September 30, 1998, drinking
drivers have had to be more responsible for
their actions.
• Drivers who blow over the legal limit on a
breathalyzer (.08) or refuse the test will
lose their license for 90 days under the
Administrative DriverÕs License
Suspension (ADLS).
• Drivers who have a conviction under the
Criminal Code result in a suspension under
the Highway Traffic Act.
Consequences under
the Highway Traffic
Act
1 st Offence: 1 yr.
Suspension, Remedial
Measures requirement
2 nd Offence: 3 yr.
License suspension,
Remedial measures
requirement
3 rd Offence: lifetime
license suspension,
(reducible to 10 years
if certain conditions
are met)
Minimum Penalties
Under the Criminal
Code
1 st Offence: 3 month
driving prohibition
$300 fine
2 nd Offence: 6 month
driving prohibition
$300 fine,
14 day jail time
3 rd Offence: 1 yr.
Driving prohibition,
$300 fine,
90 day jail sentence
• Policies/laws prohibiting impaired driving
have been effective in reducing the rates of
injury and death.
• There is an increasing belief that cell
phones increase the likelihood of injury
and death when used while driving.
• Some cities or state have banned the use of
cell phones while driving.
• Fact: Alcohol increases the risk of
vehicular crash.
• Fact: Alcohol increases the severity of
traffic collisions.
Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education (PPL30), Module #3 Violence and Risk Taking Behaviour
Page 63