Sask. small town bar owners prepare for new drunk driving laws
Saskatchewan bar owners are keeping close tabs on changes coming to the province’s drunk driving laws.
Starting next year, anyone pulled over with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between .04 and .08 will face an instant three-day vehicle seizure on a first offence.
The province is also going to make repeat offenders use ignition interlock devices for longer and will raise the cutoff age for zero BAC tolerance from 19 to 21, with a 60-day licence suspension on a first offence.
Jim Benceis, president of the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association, agrees a crackdown on drunk driving is necessary. However, he said the new laws will have a serious impact on small town bars where customers have fewer options for finding a safe ride home.
“Two operators said this really could be the beginning of the end for them,” Benceis said.