Tougher drinking-and-driving penalties coming

Nova Scotia is getting ready to introduce tougher penalties for people who drink and drive.

The province is launching a public awareness campaign to remind Nova Scotians about the new rules, which take effect Oct. 26.

Drivers caught with a blood-alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08 will lose their licence for seven days, up from 24 hours. That increases to 15 days for a second offence and 30 days for a third.

They'll have to pay a fee of $89.63 to get their licence reinstated.

Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks hopes this deters people from making the "stupid decision" to drink and drive.

"With this legislation we are sending the strong message that impaired driving will not be tolerated in Nova Scotia," he said Friday.

Drivers who blow above the legal limit of 0.08 will still face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada. 

The province's new rules are endorsed by police and the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Halifax's deputy police chief, Christopher McNeil, said the tougher penalties are targeted at people who don't consider themselves drunk drivers.

"Those people that miscalculate what they drink, who think they can manage once they become impaired, those people cause irreparable harm," he said.

The legislation was passed last fall. 

Several provinces have similar laws.