Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving is a registered charity operating in Ontario since 1989 (officially). We have hosted the arrive alive DRIVE SOBER campaign since that time. OCCID does not telemarket, we do not use professional fundraisers. All board members sit in a voluntary capacity.

In a typical scenario a "G" driver or boater charged with "over .08" OR "refuse to provide a breath sample" on the last holiday weekend (presuming they did not hit anyone or anything) would go through the following:

• charged September 1st 2008
• immediate 90-day driver licence suspension (until November 30th 2008)
• "day in court"/conviction (there are options here but we keep it with simple with the concept that you plead guilty about 5 weeks after charge date - say October 6th)
• one year licence suspension beginning October 6th 2008 and ending October 6th 2009
• complete the Back on Track program during the year (assessment, education program and six-month follow up)
• get licence back October 2009 with ignition interlock condition for one year
• October 2010 - apply to have "I" restriction removed from licence

Monetary Costs:

*minimum increase based on a perfect 6-star driving record
**Payable to your own legal counsel

Other consequences:

• Criminal record
• Impaired driving conviction on driving record for ten years
• Job loss or demotion/Relocation costs to facilitate alternate transportation

In addition to these measures above which apply to those charged criminally, in Ontario drivers are immediately suspended from driving if found with a BAC over .05; note increased sanctions for this group of drivers comes into force late this fall.

For drivers who fail to obey these consequences Ontario has had vehicle impoundment since 1999 (45 days first offence).

As well, since 1994, new drivers in Ontario go through the "Graduated Licensing" program: G1 and G2 drivers both have "Zero" as the allowable level of alcohol when driving. New drivers also have restrictions around the number of young passengers they can carry at night.