DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVERS TO FACE ROADSIDE CHECKS

OTTAWA -- The Conservative government revived a Liberal-era bill
Tuesday to catch drug-impaired drivers through roadside checks and
blood samples, an initiative that's failed twice before and raised
concerns about court challenges.

Justice Minister Vic Toews also introduced tougher new laws for drunk
drivers, including raising the maximum sentence to life imprisonment
for impaired driving causing death, increasing the fine for a first
impaired driving offence to $1,000 from $600 and restricting the use
of the "two beers" defence that permits drivers to argue they didn't
drink much.

Toews, with police and victims of impaired drivers at his side in the
House of Commons foyer, told reporters his bill is "very important,
overdue legislation" and hopes it'll pass through Parliament "as
quickly as possible."

Toews presented a copy of his proposal to Mike Rider, whose
16-year-old son, Dave Rider, was one of five teens from the Ottawa
area killed seven years ago by a young driver high on marijuana.

Under the proposed law, drivers suspected of being high would be
required to perform physical tests at the side of the road, such as
walking a straight line.

If they fail, they'd be sent to the police station for further
testing and then be forced to surrender blood, saliva, or urine samples.

The federal government's testing scheme for drugs would include
penalties for people who refuse to cooperate, Toews said.