Nova Scotia toughens drunk driving laws

People convicted of driving drunk with children in the car face tougher penalties in Nova Scotia starting May 1.

Drivers who blow above the legal limit of 0.08 still face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, but now offenders driving with children can lose their licence for at least two years and be forced to install an interlock device in their vehicle.

The interlock prevents a car from starting unless the driver's breath is free of alcohol and would be installed at the driver's expense.

The laws were passed two years ago.

The government said 22 people die in alcohol related collisions each year.