SafeRoads Lawyer in Edmonton, Alberta

Impaired Driving is one of the most commonly charged offences in Canada. Recently in Alberta, the police have been authorized to issue non-criminal penalties for impaired driving through the SafeRoads Alberta Regulation. If you receive a Notice of Administrative Penalty via the Immediate Roadside Sanctions program, you have seven calendar days from the date of issue to file a request for review. 

The usual punishment for impaired driving under SafeRoads is a mandatory $1,200.00 fine and a 90-day driver's license suspension, followed by mandatory participation in the ignition interlock program and attendance at the Planning Ahead safe driving course. While provincial penalties will not result in a criminal record, accepting guilt and paying the associated fines will land you with a driving record that brings severe consequences; both with respect to insurance costs and future driving offences.

A common misunderstanding is that because you 'blew over', you are guilty and have no defence. This is false. Most impaired driving cases are won or lost on the police's failure to comply with necessary investigative procedures or to ensure your Charter rights are complied with. What you 'blew' is generally not going to affect your chances of success at trial. 

These administrative offences are challenged by way of written submissions, meaning you will not need to attend court. We handle all aspects of the review to put your mind at ease. 

Impaired driving is one of the most litigated areas of Canadian law. An experienced defence lawyer will be able to guide you and advise you as to all of the available defences.