Manitoba to expand ignition interlock program

Details

Published on Thursday, December 13, 2012

myWestman.ca

Ignition interlock use will now be a requirement for all convicted impaired drivers who wish to drive legally following their license suspension. The new rules come into effect on Dec. 15 and will now include drivers convicted of an impaired driving offence for the first time.

The new law expands Manitoba's mandatory ignition interlock program, which currently applies to drivers who are granted conditional licensing during an active alcohol-related suspension, repeat convicted offenders or first offences with aggravating factors (bodily injury/death or impaired driving with a child passenger).

The mandatory ignition interlock term lengths are:
- one year for the first conviction,
- one year for the second conviction,
- three years for the third conviction, and
- lifetime for the fourth and subsequent convictions.

An ignition interlock device is an in-car alcohol breath screening device that prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood alcohol concentration over a pre-set limit. The device is located inside the vehicle, near the driver's seat, and is connected to the engine's ignition system.

With files from Manitoba news release