Be prepared for some changes in road safety enforcement on Newfoundland and Labrador roads, as the government is making some changes.

As the law currently stands, if the police stop a driver, he or she will be charged with impaired driving if a breathalyzer test reveals a blood alcohol level greater than 0.08. But if the government gets its way and new changes are adopted, such drivers found to have a blood alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08 will lose their driving privileges for seven days instead of the current 24 hour suspension. In addition, the  penalty for repeat offenders will also increase up to a maximum of six months.

The aim of the government is to protect public safety. They note that other provinces have made similar changes, to positive effect. And they’re not just targeting those who might have had an extra beer before heading out on the road. The new law would also outlaw the practice of texting while driving, as well.

And it’s not just impaired driving that has officials concerned. In Labrador, highway construction crews have been complaining that drivers are blowing through the eight construction zones on the almost 250-km drive between Wabush and Churchill Falls much too fast. In addition, there have been numerous complaints of vehicles passing in no-passing zones, and not obeying the flag persons.

Because of this, police stepped up enforcement in the area and they are aggressively ticketing motorists along the dangerous stretch of road. The province recently doubled fines for speeding in a construction zone, too, so such tickets can set you back as much as $1,500.

Put simply, if you’re not being careful out there, it’s going to cost you.

As classes resume this week, thousands of Newfoundland and Labrador children will board school buses. A CBC News investigation recently discovered that many of those are second-hand vehicles imported from the United States that fail to meet Canadian safety standards. As a result of that discovery, Government Services Minister Kevin O’Brien ordered all imported buses to be upgraded by the start of school. The only safety standard that can be delayed is the requirement that buses have wooden floors. Operators will have a year to install those.

Apparently, the CBC investigation in August marked the first time during his three-year tenure that O’Brien was made aware of the sub-standard U.S. buses clogging provincial roads. It’s possible many of them have been in use for years.

According to Newfoundland and Labrador law, which is written into every tender for school buses, all buses must meet Canadian Standards Association regulations. Based on CSA standards, U.S. buses can have many deficiencies, including single-pane windows that kids can put their heads through, and which fogs up on cold days, and a lack of wooden lining on the floors. The plywood in the floors provides insulation and soundproofing, in addition to added strength.

Newfoundland and Labrador seems to be a bit behind the curve on this issue, as Nova Scotia and Ontario have already moved to get their buses fixed up or off the road. At least one U.S. manufacturer told CBC News his company has sold at least 30 used buses in Newfoundland in recent years.