SafeRoads Alberta & Your License:
What You Need To Know
SafeRoads Alberta reviews and decides administrative penalties for DUI offences in Alberta.
If you received a Notice of Administrative Penalty, this system (not a criminal court) controls your licence, your vehicle, and your ability to drive.
You can appeal that decision, but the window closes fast. Brian McGlashan has spent over 25 years helping Alberta drivers challenge these penalties and knows how to build a strong appeal.
How SafeRoads Alberta Decides Your Penalty
SafeRoads Alberta is the system and adjudicative body that governs Alberta’s driving under the influence laws and administrative penalties.
Rather than criminal charges, SafeRoads Alberta governs administrative penalties that have similar consequences to DUI charges, but they do not typically involve criminal charges.
Most people who are issued an administrative penalty under SafeRoads Alberta will not be required to have a court date or be charged criminally; however, in some repeat or particular cases you may receive a criminal charge as well as an administrative penalty.
SafeRoads Alberta governs administrative penalties which might be issued to anyone suspected of driving under the influence.
You Can Appeal a SafeRoads Penalty
If you receive an administrative penalty, you can file an appeal. You only have SEVEN DAYS to appeal from the date it was issued. Contact Brian McGlashan if you are looking to appeal to SafeRoads Alberta, and for the best possible outcome in your appeal.
Learn More about How a DUI Lawyer can Appeal to SafeRoads Alberta
You are not without options.
Brian McGlashan can review your case and help you understand your chances.
Why An Immediate Roadside Sanction Hits Before You See A Judge
In Alberta, if you are found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, individuals end up receiving essentially the same penalty that they would have received if they had previously been convicted of the offence, only typically without a Criminal Record or court appearance. These are now called “Immediate Roadside Sanctions”. Instead of a court charge, individuals face an Administrative Penalty from the province.
These Immediate Roadside Sanctions can include a fine, license suspension, vehicle seizure, and more. Most Albertans who are given an administrative penalty under SafeRoads Alberta will not receive a criminal charge; however, the administrative penalty will still appear on your Driver’s Abstract, which will likely affect your insurance rates. Some Immediate Roadside Sanctions, though, will also come with criminal charges if you have received multiple administrative penalties or because of the severity or other unique facts of the case.
If you’ve been stopped by the Police and served an Immediate Roadside Sanction administrative penalty, Brian McGlashan can help. With over 25 years of experience defending DUI cases, Brian knows the ins and outs of appealing alleged DUIs. If you’re facing a drunk driving administrative penalty, don’t hesitate to contact our team
Our team will help you file an appeal for SafeRoads in Alberta and argue your case before the administrative penalty Adjudicator. Contact Brian McGlashan today to appeal your provincial suspension and administrative penalty for driving under the influence.
Information from the Government of Alberta about the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act can be found here.
What A DUI Penalty Costs You in Alberta
Penalties for a DUI in Alberta include:
- Licence suspension anywhere from 24 hours to an indefinite driving ban, depending on the severity of the offence and whether or not you have more than one DUI on your record.
- Vehicle seizure from 24 hours up to 60 days
- Fines, up to $2000 or more.
- Required participating in the Ignition Interlock Program
- Victim surcharges
What Is an Administrative Licence Suspension in Alberta?
An administrative licence suspension is what happens when your licence is suspended by the province rather than by a criminal court. It takes effect immediately and is separate from any criminal charge you may also face.
These Offences Trigger an Administrative Penalty Even Without a Criminal Charge
Most people who receive a SafeRoads Alberta penalty never face a criminal charge. The administrative process exists to handle these cases outside the courts.
You can receive an administrative penalty for:
- Refusing a breathalyzer or roadside test
- Driving with blood alcohol level over 0.04
- Driving with any blood alcohol concentration in certain circumstances.
- Any suspected driving under the influence or “impaired driving”. This applies to alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and a drug.
In certain circumstances, though, a penalty can come with a criminal charge as well.
Brian McGlashan brings over 25 years of experience to every case, whether it stays within SafeRoads Alberta or extends further. He’ll review your situation honestly and explain exactly where you stand. If you have a case, Brian builds the strongest possible appeal for you.