New rules are in effect as of Tuesday that expand police powers to check motorists for impaired driving and also increase the penalties. Officers can now request a breath sample from anyone they stop. Previously, they had to have a reasonable suspicion that a person was impaired. Also under the revised law, a driver with a blood-alcohol level above .05 will

Staff Sergeant Harold Laninganow have their vehicle impounded for three days in addition to receiving a three-day licence suspension.

Steinbach RCMP Staff Sergeant Harold Laninga says these are positive changes, especially when you consider that driving is a privilege and not a right. He says police continue to come across far too many impaired drivers and hopes the tougher law will get the message across that drinking and driving don't mix.