Effective December 1, 1999, the AALS became law in Alberta. This means that drivers charged with an alcohol-related offense will face an automatic suspension of their operator's license. No conviction is necessary.
Any driver who is charged with having a breath or blood sample over 0.08 [blood-alcohol content, the legal limit specified in the Criminal Code, section 253(b)], or refusing a demand thereof, will recieve an automatic three-month suspension.
If the individual holds a valid Alberta driver's license, a 21-day temporary permit is granted before the suspension begins. These temporary driving privileges are intended to allow time for drivers going under suspension to get their affairs in order.
Then, hwen a driver is convicted on a first offence, they will lose their driving privileges for one year on top of the AALS. If it is a second offence, they willl lose their license for three years. A third offence will keep a drunk driver off the road for five years. Convicted impaired drivers causing bodily harm or death will recieve a mandatory five-year suspension [this is enforced by the Motor Vehicle Administration Act, and apply after a federal conviction].
If an impaired driver causes bodily hrm or death, the AALS ensures that their license is taken away for at least six months, on-the-spot [without a conviction]. Alberta is the only jurisdiction to increase the automatic revokation.
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