Motorists in Nova Scotia convicted of impaired driving while a child under 16 is in their vehicle would face tougher penalties under proposed amendments to legislation introduced Friday.
Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks said a driver's licence would be suspended for an additional 12 months under the proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Act.
That means the minimum mandatory suspension for a first offence would rise to two years from one year.
The proposed changes would also require first-time offenders to install alcohol-sensing ignition interlocks in their vehicles.
Mr. Estabrooks said that drunk driving is the leading cause of road fatalities in the province, with 21 people killed in 2010, up from 18 in 2009.
The minister had no figures indicating how many drunk drivers are caught with children in their car.
He said the move to increase penalties shows the government is serious about dealing with a problem that is socially unacceptable.
"With these amendments, we are sending a strong message to Nova Scotians that driving impaired with children as passengers is a serious offence . . . that deserves serious consequences," he said.
The minister said Manitoba is the only other province that has specific penalties for impaired drivers with children in their vehicles.
Margaret Miller, past national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, applauded the government initiative, saying there should be no second chances for people who endanger the lives of their children.
"This sends a very strong message to those parents that if they partake in this kind of a venture that they are going to be doubly punished for it," said Ms. Miller.
Ms. Miller said she believes the measures, especially requiring interlock systems for first-time offenders, will help serve as a deterrent.
"The interlock will make sure that their drinking and their driving has been separated totally," she said.
The amendments follow changes enacted last October that saw drivers with blood-alcohol levels between 50 milligrams and 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood lose their licences for seven days for a first offence.
The previous penalty was 24 hours.