N.B. recognized by MADD Canada for impaired driver penalties

Mothers Against Drunk Driving recently recognized the provincial government for its stronger penalties against impaired drivers.

It was honoured with the 2026 Citizen of Distinction Award.

This comes after amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act on January 1, 2025, that allow officers to immediately suspend a driver’s licence if the person behind the wheel fails a roadside screening test.

New Brunswick was the fifth province to implement immediate roadside licence suspensions for impaired drivers, and the first in Atlantic Canada to have such legislation.

Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin said the amendments have given officers an alternative to laying a criminal charge while helping to keep hundreds of impaired drivers off New Brunswick roads in the almost two years since it was implemented.

“This is an important milestone for public safety on our roads and followed a year of collaboration between the province and MADD Canada,” said Gauvin.