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Impaired Driving> FAQ
Alcohol and Drugs
How does alcohol affect a person?
Alcohol is a drug that is quickly absorbed into the body through the stomach and small intestines. Carried by the bloodstream, the alcohol reaches all parts of the body and significantly affects the central nervous system.
Alcohol reduces the reaction time, distorts vision, and impairs judgment. As more alcohol is consumed, a person’s ability to recognize potential problems and respond to hazards is significantly hampered.
In Manitoba, do impaired driving laws apply to off-road vehicles such as snowmobiles and ATV’s?
Manitoba's impaired driving laws apply to the operation of all motorized vehicles, so you have to be aware of the consequences even when you operate other types of motorized vehicles such as off-road vehicles (snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes), tractors and other special mobile machines (combines, front-end loaders, forklifts, graders and cranes).
Sanctions also apply to situations where a person operates a vessel, an aircraft or railway equipment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A vessel includes all craft, usually larger than a row boat designed to navigate on water, including hovercrafts.
Does alcohol affect men and women the same way, or is there a difference?
If a male and a female of the same weight consumed the same amount of alcohol, the female will have a higher blood alcohol concentration when compared to her male counterpart. This is because females generally have about 20 per cent more body fat than males and alcohol is not fat-soluble.
What happens if I am found to be driving with a blood alcohol concentration between .05 and .08?
If you are operating a motorized vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration between .05 and .08 or fail a physical coordination test, you are subject to an immediate Tiered Administrative Licence Suspension. Tiered Administrative Licence Suspensions are progressively longer suspensions ranging from 24 hours to 60 days depending on how many previous suspensions you have received within a 10-year period:
- 24-hour driver’s licence suspension for a first occurrence
- 15-day driver’s licence suspension for a second occurrence
- 30-day driver’s licence suspension for a third occurrence
- 60-day driver’s licence suspension for fourth and subsequent occurrences
If you have received two or more suspensions within a 10-year period, you are also required to complete an Impaired Driver Assessment at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba at your own expense.
You may also be subject to a Driver Improvement and Control intervention which could range from a warning letter to a Show Cause Hearing, at which time a further driver licence suspension would be considered.
As well, you may have your vehicle towed away. You will have to pay a $50 re-instatement charge as well as the towing and storage fee to get your car back.
What happens if I am found to have a blood alcohol concentration over .08 while driving?
You will receive an immediate three-month Administrative Licence Suspension. This suspension also applies if you refuse to provide a breath or blood sample, to perform a physical coordination test or refuse to follow a police officer’s instructions regarding the test. Additional consequences may include:
- being charged under the Criminal Code of Canada
- vehicle impoundment (except special mobile machines)
- a mandatory Impaired Driver Assessment at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba at your expense
- a driver’s licence reinstatement charge
What’s the best way to rid the body of the effects of alcohol?
The best bet is to wait it out. Drinking coffee, taking showers or getting fresh air does not reduce a person's blood alcohol concentration.
Will drinking only beer reduce a person’s chance of becoming drunk compared to the hard stuff like rye/scotch?
A 355 ml bottle of beer, a 150 ml glass of wine, or a 45 ml of rum and coke all have the same alcohol content. The volume of the liquor is different but each drink has the same amount of alcohol.
If I have food in my stomach should it help minimize my risk of alcohol impairment?
Having food in your stomach will not prevent you from becoming impaired by the alcohol. It will only delay the alcohol from entering your system but it won't prevent you from getting drunk.
Drowsy Driving
Who is at risk for Drowsy Driving?
Certain segments of the population are more vulnerable to sleep-related collisions. Research from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) found that males when compared to females are more likely to drive while drowsy (56 per cent vs.45 per cent) and that male drivers are almost twice as likely to fall asleep at the wheel when compared to their female counterparts (22 per cent vs. 12 per cent). As well, the NSF has found that adults with children have a greater risk to drive drowsy when compared to those without children (NSF: 59 per cent vs. 45 per cent).
Can over-the-counter medications contribute to drowsy driving collisions?
Be aware of the possible side effects of medications as some of them can cause drowsiness. If you must drive, it’s best to check with your doctor or pharmacist to minimize your risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. It’s also wise to read the labels of any medications to ensure that they don’t have a sedative effect.
Will drinking lots of coffee help minimize the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel?
The trouble with coffee or caffeine is that, if you want to sleep, coffee will interfere with your ability to get a good night's rest. Unfortunately, if you want to stay awake and alert, drinking coffee or drinks that contain caffeine will not overcome the sleepiness. Caffeine may help with short-term alertness but it won’t be much help during a long drive. Getting a proper night's rest before you get underway is a better solution.
What is a micro-sleep and what is its connection to driving?
A micro-sleep occurs when a person needing rest falls into a momentary sleep (lasting a few seconds). If a micro-sleep occurs while driving it can significantly increase your chances of getting into a collision. For example, during a micro-sleep a driver travelling at 100 km/h can cover a distance of over 111 meters, that's roughly the length of a football field. In the driving environment a momentary lapse of attention by the motorist can be catastrophic.
