THIS YEAR'S CHECKSTOP PROGRAM CAN NAB DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVERS

CITY police now have the authority to go after motorists high on drugs
as they kick off this year's holiday roadside Checkstop program.

Starting tonight, police have the power to demand suspected
drug-impaired drivers perform a standardized field sobriety test
(SFST), which checks for drug use, like marijuana or cocaine.

The legal authority for police to test for drug usage comes under the
recently amended provincial Highway Traffic Act.

Drivers caught high on pot or other drugs now face the same penalties
as drunk drivers, meaning they could have their licence suspended for
24 hours or more and see their car impounded, depending on the
circumstances.

It's believed Manitoba is the first province in Canada that gives
police the power to take away a suspected drug user's driver's licence
on the spot.

Details on the administrative changes are to be announced by the Doer
government within the next two weeks. Winnipeg police spokesman Const.
Bob Johnson said yesterday officers will also look for motorists whose
ability to drive is affected by prescription medication or even sleep
deprivation.

The holiday Checkstop program starts at 6 p.m. tonight and runs to
Jan. 1. Police officers will check motorists leaving licensed
premises, house parties, office parties, or any other event where
substances may be consumed.

Last year, the province made it mandatory that ignition-locking
devices be installed in vehicles of convicted impaired drivers.
Drivers have to provide a clean breath sample for the car to start.

Patrol Sgt. Rob Riffel, impaired driving countermeasures co-ordinator
for the Winnipeg Police Service, said a number of officers have been
trained to identify drug impairment.

He added police have not seen an increase in people driving high on
marijuana despite Ottawa's intentions to decriminalize possession of
small amounts. "I don't think it's getting any worse," he said. "Our
skills have just gotten better at recognizing it."

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Steve Colwell said in rural Manitoba, the focus is
on those motorists who drink and drive. Ottawa is also considering
toughening up the Criminal Code of Canada to include driving while
under the influence of drugs.

The consequences

Highway Traffic Act Sanctions for Impaired Driving:

* 24-hour licence suspension for driving with a blood-alcohol count
(BAC) over .05 or refusing a breath or blood test.

* Drivers with two or more over-.05 incidents in three years must
complete the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) program in order
to regain their licence.

* Vehicle impoundment and immediate three-month licence suspension for
driving over .08 or refusing a breath or blood test. * If the driver's
BAC is under .16, the vehicle impoundment period is 30 days for a
first offence and 90 days for repeat offenders.

* If the driver's BAC is over .16, the vehicle impoundment period is
60 days for a first offence and 180 days for repeat offenders.

* Licence suspension upon conviction for impaired driving, driving
over .08 or driving while disqualified (one year for a first offender
and five years for repeat offenders)