Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 08/98) - The Department of Transportation Thursday announced a series of tough new measures to penalize drunk drivers.

The proposals will be relayed to the public through surveys and a media advertising campaign. The measures were announced at a press conference at the Legislature.

Among the proposed changes to the territorial Motor Vehicles Act are:

• Increased periods of licence suspension for convicted impaired drivers. First offences would result in a one-year loss of drivers' licence, second offences would net three years while third and subsequent convictions would entail Ūve year suspensions. Now, a Ūrst offence results in a minimum three-month suspension, second offences six months, and third and subsequent offences one year.

• Immediate 30-day suspensions for drivers caught with over.04 blood alcohol content -- half the federal limit.

• Thirty-day impoundment of vehicles driven while the driver is under suspension.

• The introduction of a graduated licensing system that would include a zero-tolerance restriction for new drivers.

As well, mandatory education programs are being recommended for impaired drivers.

Public questionnaires are being distributed to motor vehicle branches in each community and public meetings will be held on the subject.

If Northerners endorse the proposal, it's "realistically, at least a year away" from being implemented, according to Richard MacDonald, director of motor vehicles.

Transport Minister Jim Antoine, also present at the press conference, said he expects to have processed public feedback by the fall. The legislation will take some time to draft and if cabinet doesn't enact it quickly, the initiative may become part of the next government's agenda, Antoine suggested.

"Every year on our highways, the misuse of alcohol results in unacceptable levels of death and injury," Antoine said, "whether it involves driving a car, a snowmachine or an ATV."

MacDonald said all the cost implications of the proposal have yet to be calculated but he noted that the current accident rate is creating a Ūnancial drain through hospital stays, lost time at work and insurance claims.

An average of 500 drivers are charged for impaired driving each year in the NWT -- more than twice the national rate.

An average of three people are killed in the NWT each year as a result of drunk drivers, according to the department.