By Aaron Haugen (@ahaugie on Twitter)

Province introduces second update to Traffic Safety Act

May 16, 2016 | 5:30 PM

EDMONTON – The provincial government has announced its second step in updating Alberta’s traffic laws.

Bill 16, introduced today by Transportation Minister Brian Mason, will provide for expanding the ignition interlock program and create regulations for ride-share companies like Uber.

Mason said currently anyone who is under double the legal limit can apply for an exemption from the the interlock program.

“One of the amendments will strengthen impaired driving legislation by removing the first time offender’s exemption from the ignition interlock program,” he said. “Research clearly demonstrates alcohol interlock programs reduce recidivism amongst first-time offenders.”

Another set of amendments will require anyone wishing to drive for a ride share company like Uber to upgrade their license from a Class 5 to a Class 1, 2 or 4 license and get a police information check.

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Mason said the penalties for failing to comply are designed to be harsh enough to not just be another cost of doing business.

“$50,000 per offense per day can add up extremely fast if there’s a fleet-wide or system-wide offense going on and it goes on for a while,” he said.

Other changes include removing the fine for showing an expired proof of insurance if you have a valid one on your person and bringing the Traffic Safety Act up to date with the Criminal Code on street racing that causes bodily harm.

Bill 16 is the second phase of a three-part overhaul of Alberta’s traffic laws that began in 2013.