‘We’re coming after you’: stricter penalties eyed for Manitoba impaired drivers

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This article was published 05/12/2024 (334 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba government introduced a bill Thursday to impose tougher consequences for impaired drivers responsible for causing bodily harm or death, including a lifetime driving ban if convicted twice within a 10-year period.

“Enough is enough,” Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Thursday at the legislature. “It’s about sending a message to Manitobans who are getting ready for this holiday season. We’re coming after you if you’re convicted of such a serious offence.”

Currently, a driver convicted for the first time receives a five-year automatic licence suspension. If the driver is convicted of a second offence within 10 years, they receive an automatic 10-year licence suspension. Bill 5 — the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures) would increase that second 10-year suspension to a lifetime ban.

The bill would also prohibit those convicted of a first offence from driving with any alcohol in their blood for seven years.

“There are real and serious consequences for choosing to drink and drive,” said Wiebe, noting that impaired driving was a factor in 10 per cent of fatal collisions in Manitoba in 2023.

Progressive Conservative justice critic Wayne Balcaen said the “catalyst” for the minister proposing legislation to crack down on impaired drivers was advocacy by the parents of Jordyn Reimer, the 24-year-old who was killed by an impaired driver in 2022.

The bill was welcomed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“It’s definitely a great move for Manitoba,” said MADD Winnipeg president Trevor Ens. “I like that Manitoba isn’t waiting for the criminal court side of things to play catch up. For too long, the criminal courts have not treated impaired driving as the violent crime that it is.”

The provincial government can’t change the criminal code and impose things like harsher sentences but it can impact Manitoba driver’s licences, he said.

“I applaud that they’re taking the initiative to crack down on the driving side of things, and this is a good thing,” Enns said.

The president of MADD Canada also applauded the move.

“No one ever thinks they’re going to be a victim of impaired driving until the phone rings or there’s a knock at the door and suddenly your whole world shatters,” said Tanya Hansen Pratt, who spoke to reporters at the legislature after the bill was introduced.

Her mother, Pearl Hansen, was out for her morning walk on April 20, 1999, on a dirt road south of Portage la Prairie when she was struck and killed by a 19-year-old impaired driver who had been consuming alcohol and cannabis the night before.

“We welcome the government taking steps to deal with those offenders who cause the most serious harm,” said Pratt.

While the bill was introduced in time for the Christmas and holiday season, it’s stalled until March 5 when MLAs return to the house after rising for the winter break.

In the meantime, drivers pulled over at roadside checkstops in Winnipeg this month will be required to give a breath sample. Previously, getting tested was at the discretion of the officer.

The mandatory alcohol screening was announced by Winnipeg police Tuesday. Their RCMP counterparts have required samples from every driver pulled over at checkstops since legislation first allowed it in 2018.

Pratt urged members of the public to take action if they see someone getting behind the wheel when they should not.

“If you see someone you suspect is impaired, please call 911 — you may be saving a life.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca