New rules are in effect as of Tuesday that expands 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 now have their vehicle impounded for three days in addition to receiving a three-day licence suspension.

Staff Sergeant Harold Laninga.

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.