New penalties for drunk drivers also apply on the water

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This article was published 17/12/2019 (2277 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Get drunk or have one too many drinks while fishing in a boat on the weekend and you might not be driving to work on Monday — or for a few months.

That’s because Manitoba has put in place stiffer impaired driving penalties that also make sure what happens in the water doesn’t just stay in the water.

What the province calls “Immediate Roadside Prohibition” started this past Monday in the Highway Traffic Act.

The province says the new legislation is intended “to create stronger and timelier consequences for impaired drivers.” But the law also has consequences for boaters.

Boaters who are intoxicated are subject to the same penalties as someone who is drunk behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, except for one.

“We do not seize boats because for us, to seize something is under the provincial Highway Traffic Act and that only allows us to seize motor vehicles,” RCMP Cpl. Julie Courchaine said.

“That’s why we don’t seize boats.”

But RCMP spokesman Paul Manaigre said while officers won’t seize the boat, they can seize something else — your driver’s licence.

“The same rules apply for the licence… it would be seized as if he were found driving a vehicle.”

And with the new penalties, that can sink your wallet.

Now, when a driver is found with a blood alcohol level between .05 and .079, they will immediately lose their vehicle for three days for a first violation, seven days for a second or 30 days for a third violation and more. The driver — and boaters — will also be fined $400 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $600 for a third or subsequent violation.

As well, drivers who have a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, or who refuse to take a roadside screening test, will also see increased penalties that include a $700 fine and mandatory use of an ignition interlock for one year.

Lifesaving Society Manitoba’s Christopher Love said the organization “supports this initiative at this time.”

“We are hoping it will reduce the number of boating fatalities and injuries in this province.”

Across Canada, Love said, between 2006 and 2015, the drownings of 453 men and 91 women involved alcohol and/or drugs. Of those drownings, Love said 24 per cent were connected to boating.

Love said Manitoba had 10 per cent of the drownings connected to alcohol and drugs, or 54 in total, while Ontario, the country’s most populous province, had 24 per cent or 131.

But while Ontario represents about 38 per cent of the country’s population, Love said Manitoba only has “about three per cent of the national population, yet 10 per cent of the deaths.”

“People seem to get the point you don’t drink and drive, but believe it is socially acceptable to bring the two-four of beer with you onto the boat to drink while fishing,” he said. “We’re hoping that will change.

“In many ways it is worse because there are no lane markers or traffic signals and the wind, rocking action and sun all increase the potency of the alcohol in you.” 

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca