Ottawa considers allowing police to give random breathalyzer tests
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson is considering giving police the ability to administer breathalyzer tests at random in order to reduce the amount of drunk-driving related deaths. The changes would allow police to triple the amount of tests they can administer at roadblocks because they would no longer need to determine if there’s “reasonable suspicion” that a driver is under the influence of alcohol. Similar policies in Australia and Ireland have cut alcohol-related driving deaths by 36 and 23 per cent, respectively. MPs that support the move believe it could be considered a “reasonable limit” under the Charter, so long as it is properly implemented. However, civil libertarian groups say such a law will infringe on a person’s right to protection from unreasonable search and seizure.