PEI

Youth targeted with new drunk driving legislation

P.E.I. Transportation Minister Paula Biggar has brought forward a number of bills meant to further discourage Islanders from drinking and driving.

'We want to get that message out early to our young drivers'

The P.E.I. government has introduced a number of new measures to curtail drinking and driving. (CBC)

P.E.I. Transportation Minister Paula Biggar is changing the Highway Traffic Act to further discourage Islanders from drinking and driving.

Government is looking to make it easier for police to order a vehicle to be impounded when the driver is caught drinking and driving. It also plans to raise the zero-tolerance age limit for blood alcohol from 19 up to 22 years old.

Paula Biggar is looking to raise the age for zero tolerance of blood-alcohol content while driving. (Province of P.E.I.)

"[We want] to make people more aware of the consequences of making the decision to be impaired while driving," said Biggar.

"We want to get that message out early to our young drivers so they know when they do get licensed that this will be part of the regulations."

Another proposed change to the province's Highway Traffic Act would extend the duration for drivers taking part in the ignition interlock program from two to three years.

With files from Kerry Campbell