Yesterday (May 18th) Alberta's Court of Appeal gave changes to the Traffic Safety Act the red light.

The changes in question surround immediate and mandatory suspensions for anyone caught driving under the influence.

These measures were put place in an amendment to the Traffic Saftey Act back in 2012*.

Airdrie MLA and Shadow Justice Minister Angela Pitt says the decisions is something all members of government will need to look at.

"This is just something that we need to review as a caucus and as a party...If this measure to remove the automatic license suspension is unconstitutional, we certainly need to look at other ways to keep drunk drivers off the street."

The courts deemed that those tough sanctions are unconstitutional and reject the right for a fair trial before punishment is given.

The Alberta Government has one year to change the legislation and the matter could still be brought to the Supreme Court of Canada.

 

*Information from Transportation Alberta

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