IMPAIRED DRIVING HAS CONSEQUENCES

It starts out like many other weekend party nights, but can result in
some pretty hefty consequences. You have been drinking alcohol or
smoking pot and while driving home, you are stopped by the police.

If you are charged with impaired driving, do you realize that even
before you go to court, you automatically lose your license for three
months? The fingerprints and photographs the police take will be
retained in their computers for anyone to access.

Your car insurance rates will skyrocket and your employment may be
jeopardized. If you are a first time offender, and you are convicted
of impaired driving you automatically lose your license for a period
of one year. You will also have to pay a fine of anywhere from six
hundred to a thousand dollars. If this is your second, third or
subsequent conviction, you will lose your license for anywhere from
three years to life. Minimal mandatory jail time of anywhere from
fourteen to ninety days is also imposed.

If you are foolish enough to drive while suspended, the penalties when
you are caught (and you will be caught!) are serious, and result in
additional jail time.

If you are involved in an accident while impaired, and have seriously
hurt or killed someone, you will be in jail for a long time. You will
also have to live with the guilt of what you have done.

The consequences of driving while impaired last a life time. Contrary
to popular belief, your criminal record does not automatically
disappear when you turn eighteen or after five years. You have to
apply for a pardon, which is not always granted. Criminal records may
prevent you from obtaining employment, and will likely restrict your
ability to travel outside of Canada. It is not your right to be
admitted to a foreign country!

The best way to avoid these consequences is to THINK before you get
behind the wheel. To quote the popular TV commercial, 'What are you
willing to lose?'