
Drivers who get behind the wheel while drunk and cause serious accidents will now face stiffer penalties, according to a new bill passed by Parliament.
Under this law, drivers who are caught under the influence of alcohol or drugs will face community service or imprisonment of up to one year, and will also have their driving licence taken away.
In addition, drunk drivers involved in accidents with serious consequences, such as serious injury or death, face an increase in jail time to 15 years.
Persons who drove a car in a drunken state, were involved in an accident and fled the scene, or did not have a driving licence, or were deprived of the right to drive, will be subject to imprisonment for 3 to 7 years.
The bill also provides for changes to the Criminal Code that will prevent drunk drivers involved in accidents or who have fled the scene from avoiding lighter penalties.
A rule will be introduced that drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol two or more times within a year will be required to pay the full cost of the offence.
Statistics show that in 2022, there were 299 accidents where drunk drivers were at fault. In these accidents, 24 people were killed and 143 suffered various injuries.