Ontario introduces stricter penalties for impaired driving
Posted Dec 24, 2025 01:05:44 PM.
Last Updated Dec 24, 2025 01:05:49 PM.
Beginning Jan. 1, there will be stricter countermeasures in place to help reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road.
The penalties were introduced amongst a bunch of sweeping changes to Ontario legislation come the new year.
The changes to impaired driving laws include stronger licence suspensions, a longer look back period, and mandatory education and treatment.
For novice drivers and seasoned drivers who register a warn on a roadside screening device, licence suspension will increase from three to seven days for a first offence and seven to 14 days for a second offence.
These suspensions, as well as fines, ignition interlock, and remedial programs, will now be tracked for 10 years instead of five.
Remedial education will now be required from a first offence. For second, or other repeat offenders, a treatment program will be required.
The changes across Ontario come as Ottawa is continuing to fight impaired driving.
Statistics from the OPP East Region show impaired driving was the only of the “big four” offences that decreased between 2023 and 2024. But it still makes up the second most charges, next only to speeding.
Both the OPP and the Ottawa Police Service are in the midst their Festive RIDE campaigns to tackle impaired driving around the holidays.
OPS took a different approach this year, notifying residents of where ride checks would occur.
OPS says year-to-date, 804 drivers have been charged with impaired driving-related offences, 69 of which have been laid since the Festive RIDE program began at the end of November.
Between Dec. 18 and 20, one impaired driving charge was laid while three day licence suspension were handed to an additional three drivers. Two drivers were also charged with having open alcohol while driving and two were charged with Cannabis Control Act violations.
