On The Road

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Q: I work with a lot of young people who have just recently received or are about to receive their driver's licences. I know the social toll associated with drinking and driving is often demonstrated by tragic consequences. But what are the monetary costs involved when one is arrested for impaired driving?

A: With the annual Festive RIDE police spot checks almost set to begin, motorists should know the Toronto Police Service expects to stop about 150,000 vehicles during the five-week campaign.

While many more vehicles will obviously be on the road during this period, it is important to realize the likelihood of being stopped in a RIDE spot check is good. Now being stopped by RIDE officers should not be the sole deterrent for refraining from drinking and driving. In fact, it is the social responsibility and consideration for all users of the road, drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists alike that should lead us to not drink and drive.

But for those who simply 'don't get it,' and continue to ignore the warnings and appeals from wonderful groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving, we have other factors that may sway their poor decision making.

For instance, drivers who register a blood alcohol reading of between .05 and .08 milligrams will have their licence suspended on the spot for not less than 12 hours (G2 drivers will face greater consequences). If a drinking and driving charge is laid or a motorist refuses to provide a breath sample, an immediate 90-day suspension is imposed.

As for the penalties associated with a conviction, the minimum fine is $600 plus a one year driving prohibition and a criminal record. In addition to those penalties imposed by the court, the province applies additional punitive and administrative conditions such as a one-year driving suspension, mandatory enrolment in the Back on Track Program ($475), mandatory installation of an ignition inter-lock system after the one-year suspension expires ($1,300) and a licence reinstatement fee of $150.

What's not included in this package are the associated costs such as legal counsel ($2,000 to $10,000) and an anticipated increase in insurance fees of no less than $5,000 annually for at least three years ($15,000) and a towing and storage fee for the vehicle that can reach upward of $250.

What are the monetary costs of for a first-time impaired driver? About $20,000. Considerably more than a $50 taxi ride or a $2.75 TTC fare. Be smart, make the right choice by not drinking and driving - ever.