Do you know? Alcohol Limit for Driving in Regina, SK? It’s one of the major reasons for accidents in Canada. Don’t drink & drive; because you cannot afford the consequences. The problem of drunk driving comes with its succeeding affliction. In Canada, an average of 63,000 are severely injured, and 1,500 people die annually due to drunk drivers.
Hence, the government has set an alcohol limit for driving in Canada. So, what is the legal limit to drink and drive? It is determined based on the amount of alcohol in the blood – called Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
The BAC legal limit for drivers in Saskatchewan is 0.08. Also, Saskatchewan issues penalties for drivers with a BAC of 0.04 or higher. It is impossible to know the legal drinking limit for driving without a breathalyzer.
A breathalyzer is the only device that can give you an impartial evaluation of the legal driving alcohol limit. However, the legal breathalyzer limit of alcohol level for driving in Canada is 0.08%.
An Overview of Alcohol Limit for Driving in Regina, SK
Canadian roads and their drivers are secured under the Highway Traffic Act. The Highway Traffic Act aims to ensure the safety of all Canadian drivers at all times. Hence, it comprises provisions that determine a legal driving alcohol limit in their bodies.
As mentioned, the federal blood alcohol level in Canada is 0.08%. If you are found guilty of driving over these limits, it will be considered a criminal offence. The Criminal Code can issue impaired driving charges based on this legal blood alcohol level.
Not to mention that it applies to all provinces and territories. This law covers vehicles on the highway and cars in the air and water. Police officers carry breathalyzers to measure the blood alcohol level driving limit of suspected.
Canadian Federal law allows police officers to inspect anyone they suspect of impaired driving. Police officers may charge if you have a “care or control” while your BAC is above 0.08.
The term “care or control” means sitting behind the wheel of a car even if it is not turned on. If the police officer has reasonable suspicion, they have the right to arrest you.
Drunk Driving Charges
You may be familiar with DWI, DUI, DWAI, OWI, and OUI. These terms denote an individual is driving while smoking, drinking, consuming, and exposed to any substance that spoils driving ability.
They all are acronyms used in terms of drunk driving charges. These refer to charges in various jurisdictions.
- DUI: Driving Under the Influence. The influence can be from several intoxicating substances, such as; alcohol, drugs, prescribed medicine, etc.
- DWI: Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Impaired.
- DWAI: Driving While Ability Impaired.
- OWI: Operating While Impaired or Operating While Intoxicated.
- OUI: Operating Under the Influence.
Check Also: DUI vs DWI
Federal and Provincial Limits on Alcohol Level for Driving
Federal BAC Limits
The prohibited BAC legal limit is 80mg or more of alcohol per 100ml of blood in all Canadian provinces. This applies to fully licensed drivers. Driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more is a criminal offence. The convicted have to go through severe penalties.
Provincial BAC Limits
In most Canadian jurisdictions, the BAC is between 0.05 and 0.079. Saskatchewan issues severe penalties for drivers with a BAC legal limit of 0.04% or more. They can even face immediate license suspension.
In Alberta, drivers with 0.05 to 0.08% BAC will face instant license suspension. Alberta also issues three-day vehicle impoundment to the convicted. In Quebec, drivers with 0.16% or higher BAC will face higher fees and stricter suspensions.
Consequences of Impaired Driving in Regina, SK
There are a few offences in reference to impaired driving, such as;
- Driving with a BAC legal limit of 0.08 or over
- Driving while Impaired
- Refusal or failure to provide a breath sample at the roadside
- The legal limits for drugs exceed
- Combination of alcohol and drugs
If you are charged with any of the above offences, you will suffer the following consequences. It doesn’t count whether you are an experienced driver or have just started driving; it doesn’t count.
Know more about: Legal Drinking Age in Canada
Immediate License Suspensions
If a police officer interrupts you on suspicion of drunk driving, your driving license can get suspended immediately. The police officer can suspend your license at the roadside for at least 24 hours.
This applies you are found with a BAC of greater than 0.04%. The consequences of driving with a BAC of 0.04 are;
- 1st offence: License suspension for 24 hours
- 2nd offence: License suspension for 24 hours and a mandatory driving without impairment class
- 3rd offence: License suspension for 90 days and compulsory addiction screening
Moreover, if you are convicted of driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater, you’ll face the following consequences.
- 1st offence: 1-year license suspension
- 2nd offence: 2-years license suspension
- 3rd offence: 5-years license suspension
The good news is Saskatchewan has special laws for beginner drivers. The drivers with less than one year of experience will face the following consequences if found alcohol in their bodies.
- 1st offence: License suspension for 30 days and a mandatory driving without impairment class
- 2nd offence: License suspension for 90 days and addiction screening
The suspension will begin the day the police give you a Notice of Suspension. If the suspension is indefinite, your suspicion will continue until the charges are solved in court.
Vehicle Impoundment
The police have the right to impound the vehicle after suspending your vehicle. The vehicle will be impounded for 30 days if you are convicted of the following offences;
- Impaired driving
- Exceeding BAC legal limit of less than 0.16
- Exceeding legal drugs limit Combination of alcohol (less than 0.16 BAC) and drugs
The law enforcement will impound the vehicle for 60 days for the following offences;
- Exceeding BAC legal alcohol limit of greater than 0.16
- Combination of alcohol (greater than 0.16 BAC) and drugs
- Refusal or failure to fulfill a demand
Impaired Driving Education
When your license is suspended, and your vehicle is impounded, you must complete an impaired driving education. Depending on the offences, you have to take the following education programs.
- 1st offence: DWI (driving without impairment) program
- 2nd offence: Alcohol and Drug Education program
- 3rd and further: Addiction assessment
Read Also: Impaired Driving Alberta
Mandatory Alcohol Screening
Before you get your license back, you’ll have to undergo mandatory alcohol screening. Police officers can request a breath test for BAC from lawfully-stopped drivers.
Mandatory Ignition Interlock Program
You must install an ignition interlock device when you complete the prohibition order. You must keep the ignition interlock device for a fixed term depending on your offence.
If you remove the device during this term, your license will be cancelled. Then, you have to re-install the ignition interlock device again and complete the rest period.
FAQ: Alcohol Limit for Driving
1. Can I Just Refuse to Take the Breathalyzer in Regina, SK?
No, there is no way to refuse. Anyone who refuses to take the breathalyzer test would be criminally charged. Failure or refusal to fulfill the demand is considered a criminal offence.
2. Is Saskatchewan Zero Tolerance for Alcohol?
Yes, Saskatchewan has zero-tolerance for alcohol and drugs for novice and experienced drivers. According to the new Graduated Driver Licensing program, the consequences for beginners are harsher than for professional drivers.
3. What Happens When You Get a .08 in Saskatchewan?
You'll be charged immediately if you are convicted of driving with a BAC of 0.08. Your license will be suspended for one year.
4. What is the Alcohol Limit for Driving in Canada?
In Canada, the alcohol limit for driving is BAC of 0.08%. A Criminal Code impaired driving charges can be issued to the suspected at this limit.
5. How Much is an Open Liquor Ticket in Saskatchewan?
In Saskatchewan, the charges of Open Liquor Ticket carry a fine of $360.
6. How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Criminal Record in Regina, SK?
There is no definite answer to this question. A Driving Under the Influence can stay as long as 80 years on your criminal record. Even if it is the first offence, you will have a lifelong criminal record.
Getting Back to the Road
Once you’ve completed all the required programs issued by the government of Saskatchewan, you may get your drivers’ license back. Still not getting your license back? If so, you may want to keep the ignition device installed. Drink smarter and drive safe! We hope now you understood that it’s not a tough job to maintain for a careful person. Once you carelessly hit anything after DUI, it may lead you to such a
