New penalties coming into effect for drug-impaired drivers in Ontario

Starting on Sunday, new penalties will come into effect for drivers convicted of drug-impaired driving in Ontario.

The following measures are being introduced by the provincial government:

• $180 fine
• Immediate three-day licence suspension for the first occurrence, seven days for the second occurrence, 30-day suspension for third and subsequence occurrences if driver fails sobriety test
• Possible 90-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment depending on testing by drug recognition expert at police station
• Mandatory education or treatment programs
• Ignition interlock device installation on vehicles for drivers with two or more alcohol or drug-related licence suspensions within 10-year period

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Drivers can already face impaired-related criminal charges which could result in jail time, loss of a driver’s licence and additional fines.

According to a government statement, the Office of the Chief Coroner reports 39 per cent of drivers who died on Ontario’s roads in 2013 had drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol, in their system.

READ MORE: Drug-impaired driving charges on the rise: Toronto police

The Ontario government estimated the 2013 social cost of drug-impaired driving collisions to be $612 million.

The penalties were a part of the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, which was passed in 2015.