Stiffer penalties are in store for Alberta drivers who are caught driving while impaired on the province's roads.

The new penalties kicked in Saturday, specifically aimed at drivers who
are found to have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) that’s lower than the
legal limit of .08, but above .05 – which provincial officials consider
unsafe.

Now, a driver who is found to have a BAC within the .05-.08 range after
a roadside test will have their license suspended and their vehicle
impounded for three days.

The penalties increase for subsequent offences: For example, a driver
found to have a BAC within that range for a second time will face a 15
day license suspension, with their vehicles impounded for a week –
including a day-long course about the dangers of drinking and driving.

If a driver is caught more than twice, their license is suspended for a
month, their vehicle is impounded for one week and the driver would be
required to take another course on the impact of alcohol in their life.

The change is part of a two phase change to traffic safety laws in Alberta aimed at cracking down on drunk drivers.

The penalties were already increased for drivers caught with a BAC over
the legal limit of .08 – those who blow over .08 will still face
impaired driving charges under the Criminal Code.

However, as of July 1, those drivers will have their vehicles impounded
for three days – and their licenses would be suspended indefinitely
until their cases are resolved in the court system.
http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/new-impaired-driving-penalties-launched-1.939114