Punishments of The AALS: As the world begins to open back up and visits to bars and pubs once again become more frequent, it’s incredibly important that you continue to exercise road safety. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law, so taking the appropriate steps to avoid such implications with the law, such as calling an Uber or having a designated driver, is crucial. Not only does driving impaired put your own safety and driving record at risk, but it jeopardizes those around you as well.
However, mistakes do happen, and it can be fairly easy to misjudge your sobriety levels when it comes time for you to step behind the wheel. In the event that you are pulled over for impaired driving, contacting a DUI lawyer can be a great first step in navigating the legal process. In Alberta, the AALS program may be something you need to contend with, and having an experienced lawyer by your side can help make the journey less stressful. But what is the AALS program, and what are the punishments associated with it for driving under the influence? Let’s take a look.
What is the AALS program?
The Alberta Administrative License Suspension program, or AALS for short, applies to those charged with driving under the influence on or before November 30, 2020. Such instances can include:
- Drivers who were over the federal legal limits for alcohol, cannabis, or a combination of alcohol/cannabis
- Drivers who were over any detectable level of LSD, psilocybin, psilocin, ketamine, PCP, cocaine, methamphetamine, or 6-mam
- Drivers who were over 5 mg/L of GHG
- Drivers who are reasonably believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol, or a combination of the both
- Drivers who failed or refused to provide requested breath or fluid samples
As a note, the program has since been replaced with the Immediate Roadside Sanctions program, also known as the IRS: FAIL program, so any impaired driving occurrences that take place as of December 1, 2020, would refer to the new program.
What are the consequences of the AALS program?
The more times you are sanctioned with the AALS program, the more significant the penalties will be. For a first offence or a first offence within a ten-year period, you will receive:
- A 3-day vehicle seizure
- An immediate 90-day license suspension where you are unable to drive under any circumstances
- A further one-year license suspension if you have already participated in the AALS Ignition Interlock Program (applicable if this is not your first overall offence)
If criminally convicted during this first occurrence, you would also be required to complete:
- A one-year term in the mandatory Ignition Interlock Program
- The Planning Ahead course
For a second offence within a ten-year period, you will receive:
- A 7-day vehicle seizure
- An immediate 90-day license suspension where you are unable to drive under any circumstances
- A further one-year license suspension if you have already participated in the AALS Ignition Interlock Program
If criminally convicted during your second occurrence, you would also be required to complete:
- A three-year term in the mandatory Ignition Interlock Program
- The IMPACT program
For a third offence or any subsequent offences within a ten-year period, you will receive:
- A 7-day vehicle seizure
- An immediate 90-day license suspension where you are unable to drive under any circumstances
- A further one-year license suspension if you have already participated in the AALS Ignition Interlock Program
If criminally convicted during your third occurrence or during any subsequent occurrences, you would also be required to complete:
- A five-year term in the mandatory Ignition Interlock Program
- The IMPACT program
Impaired driving charges should be taken seriously, as the AALS program can severely impact your life. If charged with driving under the influence, it’s recommended that you turn to a DUI lawyer for guidance and assistance. For more information on the Alberta Administrative License Suspension program, go to the Government of Alberta website.
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