by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 06/96) - Northerners who drive with blood-alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit are flirting with costly fines and lengthy driving prohibitions, says a territorial court judge.

Judge Thomas Davis handed down two unusually stiff fines and lengthy licence suspensions Tuesday in Yellowknife for just that reason.

"The courts these days are saying that readings of 160 to 170 (milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood) are high," said Davis.

A Fort Smith single mother of one who pleaded guilty to driving on Oct. 17 with a blood-alcohol level of 210 received a $900 fine and a six-month driving prohibition on her first criminal offence.

Her vehicle ended up in a Fort Smith ditch and there were no injuries in the accident.

"The fine probably would have been in the $1,200 range if you weren't a single parent with additional obligations," said Davis.

A Yellowknife woman who pleaded guilty to driving on Oct. 14 with a blood-alcohol level of 250 received a $1,200 fine and a five-month driving prohibition on her first criminal offence.

Her vehicle crossed two medians and nearly hit a light standard on Old Airport Road in Yellowknife.

"She had readings of 250 ... which are among the highest readings this court sees where someone is still conscious and able to operate a motor vehicle," said Davis.

The legal limit for driving in Canada is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Under the Criminal Code, anyone guilty of a drunk-driving offence must be fined at least $300 and in the North their drivers licence must be suspended for a minimum of three months.