Police across the country now have new rights in attempting to catch impaired drivers. 

Before December 18, police needed reasonable suspicion that a driver has alcohol in their body before doing any roadside testing.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) as of December 18, 2018, police can now screen anybody. That means even without reasonable suspicion that the driver has alcohol in their body.

Police officers who have an approved screening device on hand will be able to test a breath sample of any driver they lawfully stop.

The new law is part of Bill C-46, which was passed earlier this year.

If a driver refuses to provide a breath sample, they will be subject to the criminal offence of "refusal."

The WPS says that according to research, up to 50% of drivers with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit are not detected at roadside checkstops.

They hope that mandatory alcohol screening will assist in deterring individuals impaired by alcohol from driving, as well as better detect those who do.

The Winnipeg Police Service would like to remind everyone not to drink and drive.