Newfoundland and Labrador enacts new impaired and distracted driving laws

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has recently enacted its new impaired and distracted driving laws.The legislative changes authorize police to use traffic safety stops as a means of determining whether drivers are impaired, driving while suspended or driving without insurance, among other serious offences.Also, the laws:

• Increase the previous 24-hour suspension to a minimum of seven days (14 days for a repeat offence) for drivers with a blood alcohol level of greater than 50 mgs;
• Reduce the allowable blood alcohol level to zero (down from the previous level of 0.05%) for drivers accompanying a novice driver.
• Prohibit the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, Blackberries and iPhones to send or read text messages, or programming GPS devices while the vehicle is in motion.