Photo: CTV News

Just in time for the holiday party season, police now have have the right to ask for a breath sample from any driver they lawfully stop.

New rules went into effect nationwide at midnight, that increase penalties and expand police powers to demand breath samples from anyone they've lawfully stopped -- for any reason.

Legislation passed in June is aimed at curbing accidents and deaths by helping police catch drivers who are behind the wheel with a blood-alcohol level beyond the legal limit.

Many lawyers predict legal challenges ahead, but Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is confident the law will pass a constitutional test.

-with files from CTV and Canadian Press