Getting behind the wheel after consuming any amount of alcohol is a terrible idea and can have severe consequences.

There are several dangers caused by drinking, including:

• Slower reaction times
• Lack of coordination
• Lack of concentration
• Lapses in judgment
• Poor risk perception
• Blurry vision
• Motor skills are null

All these symptoms can show even with the small consumption of alcohol. They can all severely inhibit the driver’s ability to drive safely.

For fully licensed drivers in Canada, the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) is 0.08 (80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Source:  https://madd.ca/pages/impaired-driving/overview/blood-alcohol-concentration-bac/

Operating any vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 or above is a criminal offence and can result in:

• Jail time
• Licence suspension
• Fines

In Ontario, drivers with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.08 known as the “warn range—will face severe consequences.”

Novice drivers, on the other hand, have a zero-tolerance policy.

G2, G1, M2, and M1 licence holders must have a zero BAC when behind any vehicle’s wheel. If the driver gets caught having any amount of alcohol in their blood, they will face serious consequences.

Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving

When a police officer stops, the officer can ask the driver to perform a breath or sobriety test. The driver must comply in this case. Failure to comply or failing the test can cause their licence to be suspended or even cause them to face criminal charges.

Tips:

• Avoid peer pressure and drinking if they have to drive.
• Assign a designated driver who is not under the influence to drive.
• Take public transport or a taxi.
• Inform a family member and ask to have them picked up.