In Yukon, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.08% gram (0.80 mg of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood). Depending on your age, gender, weight, and other conditions, this limit is equivalent to two to three standard alcoholic drinks.
Alcohol-impaired driving is a well-known continuing problem in Yukon. According to a survey, 5.1% of drivers in Yukon tested positive for alcohol.
In 2021, the Yukon government made amendments to Yukon Motor Vehicles Act to strengthen the enforcement of penalties for impaired driving.
While drinking and driving in Yukon is not unlawful, you must adhere to the legal BAC limit before driving. You violate the law if liquor or drugs even slightly impair your driving ability.
Before further discussing impaired driving in Yukon, it is important to remember that this article is only informational. This post should not be taken as an encouragement to drink and drive in any province or region.
If it is unavoidable to travel after drinking, consider taking a cab or hiring a designated driver. We also recommend you regularly check Yukon’s official website to stay updated on the province’s impaired driving rules and regulations.
Legal Alcohol Limit When Driving in Yukon
The Yukon government imposes penalties on drivers with BACs of 0.08% or higher. The territory sets the consequences and penalties in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada and the Yukon Motor Vehicles Act.
Each person reacts differently to alcohol. Your BAC level may vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- gender
- size
- medications
- tiredness degree
- rate of consumption
Because of these factors, alcohol can have different effects on people. Some can get intoxicated even if they only consumed a small amount of alcohol.
A BAC chart or BAC calculator can help you estimate your BAC level. However, it is not totally accurate because people react differently to alcohol.
Still, the most accurate approach to establish your BAC is to use an alcohol breathalyzer.
Punishments for Drinking and Driving in Yukon
Like any other province in Canada, driving under the influence of alcohol has penalties and punishments in Yukon. Going over the permissible blood alcohol content level can result in license suspension, jail time, and fines, among other penalties.
Learning about Yukon’s impaired driving penalties will help you understand and adhere to the law.
License Suspension
24-hour roadside suspension
If law enforcement suspects you of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will:
- suspend your driver’s license for 24 hours; and
- seize your vehicle.
90-day roadside suspension
If you do any of the following, law enforcement can suspend your driver’s license for 90 days and detain your vehicle for at least 30 days.
- driving with a BAC level of more than 0.08% gram (0.80 mg of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood);
- refusing a legal request for a breath or blood sample; or
- driving with a suspended or disqualified license
Once your license is suspended, you are prohibited from driving until it is reinstated.
Vehicle Impoundment
A peace officer has the authority to impound a car if there are reasonable grounds to suspect the driver is impaired.
Impoundment Duration
- First impoundment in 5 years: 30 days
- Second impoundment in 5 years: 60 days
- Third or subsequent impoundment in 5 years: 120 days
The duration of impound can be doubled for the following circumstances:
- the driver’s blood alcohol concentration exceeds
- 0.16% (160mgs per 100ml blood); or
- the driver refused or did not comply with the peace officer’s request for a breath sample.
The registered owner should shoulder the expense of vehicle storage. Your vehicle will not be reinstated until the impound time and storage expenses have been paid.
Criminal Code Convictions
If police file charges that are pursued in court, criminal offenses become Criminal Code convictions.
If you are convicted, the punishments are decided by a judge. These penalties can include the following:
- imprisonment;
- fines;
- driving prohibitions and/or limitations; or
- a recommendation to the Driver Control Board.
When Can You Drink and Drive in Yukon?
Again, the effects of alcohol differ between individuals. Each person’s alcohol tolerance varies, as do our bodies reactions to alcohol.
Males and females have different blood alcohol levels. Generally, women have a higher BAC than men.
Men are thought to be highly active in the forms of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in their stomach and liver. These enzymes mainly help them absorb alcohol faster. It is the primary reason why men generally have a higher alcohol tolerance.
The following information about the approximate amount of alcohol you can consume to stay within the legal BAC limit is based on research. It may not, however, apply to everyone.
How Many Beers Can You Consume and Drive in Yukon?
According to the BAC chart, a man weighing around 63 kg (140 pounds) can have a BAC level of 0.03% after having one standard drink. A standard-sized beer is 12 ounces (350 ml).
A woman with the same weight can also have the same BAC level after drinking the same amount.
Thus, drinking one to two bottles of beer in an hour is enough to stay within Yukon’s legal BAC limit.
How Much Wine Can You Drink in Yukon?
A standard serving of wine is 142 ml (5oz.). Using the same example, a male weighing 63 kg can have a BAC of 0.05% after consuming two glasses of wine.
In contrast, a woman of the same weight may have a BAC of 0.07% after consuming the same amount of wine.
Therefore, drinking two glasses of wine is enough to stay within the permissible BAC level.
How Many Shots of Whiskey or Vodka Can You Consume and Drive in Yukon?
Drinking 44 ml (1.5 oz) of spirits can bring a BAC level of 0.03% to a man weighing 63 kg (140 pounds). One shot of vodka or whiskey in an hour is enough if you want to drive after drinking.
Obeying Impaired Driving Laws in Yukon
Using other modes of transportation to travel if you are drunk is advisable. Driving while intoxicated is dangerous for you and other motorists on the road.
You can get a ride from a friend, hire a taxi, or other ride-hailing services. If you must drive after drinking, be sure your BAC level is below the legal limit.
Avoiding driving is safer, even if you’ve only had a few bottles. Again, because alcohol has different effects on people, you can only accurately determine your BAC level by using a reliable breathalyzer.
It is also important to have familiarity with Yukon’s impaired driving laws and regulations by visiting the official website.
