THUNDER BAY – LOCAL NEWS – The Thunder Bay Police Service is alerting the public about significant updates to Ontario’s impaired driving laws, which took effect on January 1, 2026. These modifications, implemented under the Highway Traffic Act, establish stricter penalties for impaired driving and enhance enforcement tools available to police throughout the province.
This new rule replaces earlier legislation that did not require a lifetime ban. 🚫 Longer Short-Term Roadside Suspensions Drivers found to be impaired at roadside checks-by alcohol, drugs, or both-will now receive longer automatic suspensions: First offence: Now 7 days (up from 3) Second offence: Now 14 days (up from 7) Third and further offences: Remains at 30 days These penalties apply to: Warning range blood alcohol levels (0.05 – 0.079) Positive results from drug screenings Failures of Standard Field Sobriety Tests Zero tolerance violations for novice and young drivers 📅 Lookback Period IncreasedTo determine if an incident is a first, second, or subsequent offence, police will now review records from the past 10 years-up from 5-when evaluating prior roadside suspensions. 🧠 Required Education and Treatment Programs First-time offenders must now finish a mandatory remedial education program through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Second and subsequent offenders need to complete a treatment program before they can regain their driving privileges. Message from Thunder Bay Police The Thunder Bay Police Service is dedicated to reducing impaired driving within our community and will keep enforcing these stricter laws. “We urge all motorists to make safe, responsible decisions-plan ahead, drive sober, and protect lives on our roads.” Residents can visit ontario. ca for further information regarding impaired driving penalties and provincial traffic regulations. The Overview: Thunder Bay Police remind residents about new Ontario impaired driving laws: longer suspensions and lifetime bans for fatal offences.
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Notable Updates Now in Place:
❗ Lifetime Licence Suspension for Impaired Driving Resulting in Death For the first time, drivers in Ontario who are convicted of impaired driving that causes death will face an indefinite suspension of their driver’s licence. Reinstatement eligibility: after 25 years Prison term: extends the waiting periodThis new rule replaces earlier legislation that did not require a lifetime ban. 🚫 Longer Short-Term Roadside Suspensions Drivers found to be impaired at roadside checks-by alcohol, drugs, or both-will now receive longer automatic suspensions: First offence: Now 7 days (up from 3) Second offence: Now 14 days (up from 7) Third and further offences: Remains at 30 days These penalties apply to: Warning range blood alcohol levels (0.05 – 0.079) Positive results from drug screenings Failures of Standard Field Sobriety Tests Zero tolerance violations for novice and young drivers 📅 Lookback Period IncreasedTo determine if an incident is a first, second, or subsequent offence, police will now review records from the past 10 years-up from 5-when evaluating prior roadside suspensions. 🧠 Required Education and Treatment Programs First-time offenders must now finish a mandatory remedial education program through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Second and subsequent offenders need to complete a treatment program before they can regain their driving privileges. Message from Thunder Bay Police The Thunder Bay Police Service is dedicated to reducing impaired driving within our community and will keep enforcing these stricter laws. “We urge all motorists to make safe, responsible decisions-plan ahead, drive sober, and protect lives on our roads.” Residents can visit ontario. ca for further information regarding impaired driving penalties and provincial traffic regulations. The Overview: Thunder Bay Police remind residents about new Ontario impaired driving laws: longer suspensions and lifetime bans for fatal offences.
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