The New Brunswick government has announced new penalties for those caught drinking and driving in the province.
As of Jan. 1, 2025, impaired drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% milligrams or more, or who perform “poorly” on a field sobriety test, will receive a mandatory short-term licence suspension of seven days.
Their vehicle will also be impounded and they will have to pay fees.
The province says peace officers will also have the ability to give drivers with a BAC of 0.08% milligrams or more, or who refuse a breath sample, an immediate three-month licence suspension. They can also be charged under the Criminal Code.
“The administrative licence suspension allows impaired drivers to be removed from the road more quickly. It minimizes the safety risk a person charged with impaired driving poses to others while awaiting a court date,” reads a Wednesday news release from the province.
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The new immediate roadside suspension (IRS) program will also require impaired drivers to have a mandatory ignition interlock for a year, to take an impaired driver re-education course and to pay other fines and fees after their suspension.
“Peace officers can choose to take the IRS or criminal route. The IRS route is not an option for drivers who cause serious bodily harm or death or who have a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle,” the release reads.
Penalties under the short-term licence suspension and the new IRS program will increase for each suspension and are noted on the driver’s record.
Under specific circumstances, drivers may apply to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of their suspension for a review.
The province says a fee will need to be paid when a review is requested and the application will not stop their suspension.
