TOUGHER IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS

On July 2, 2008 the final provisions of our government's Tackling
Violent Crime Act came into effect. This legislation includes new
measures to protect families and communities from those who drive
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police now have better tools to detect and investigate drug- and
alcohol-impaired driving. We are also increasing the penalties for
impaired driving. Our government will continue to deliver on what is
important to Canadians - the safety and security of their communities
- - because protecting society is a priority for our government, not an
afterthought.

Police officers are now authorized to conduct roadside sobriety tests
to determine whether an individual is driving while under the
influence of drugs and/or alcohol. They are also authorized to take a
sample of a bodily fluid to confirm the presence of the impairing drug.

Any individual who refuses the officer's request for a sample to
determine whether or not they are under the influence of a drug is
now subject to the same Criminal Code offence as those who refuse
breathalyzer tests.

Finally, our legislation also increases the penalties for impaired driving.

With the Tackling Violent Crime Act, our government is taking action
to protect the lives of innocent people from those who drive under
the influence of drugs and alcohol.

This is another example of our government getting things done for
families and taxpayers by working to keep our streets safe.

I invite you to visit my website at http://www.robmooremp.com to keep
up with developments in Ottawa. I also enjoy hearing from
constituents and welcome your feedback and questions on issues
important to you at moorer@parl.gc.ca.

* Rob Moore is MP for Fundy Royal. His column appears biweekly in
Riverview This Week.