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OTTAWA - The state can seize cars belonging to repeat drunk drivers, according to a Supreme Court ruling Thursday.

The case before Canada’s highest court was that of Alphide Manning, who was busted for drunk driving in 2010 for the fifth time. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail and banned from driving for five years.

In addition, the Crown asked permission to seize Manning’s car. The judge denied it because it was Manning’s only possession and because a car was necessary where Manning and his girlfriend lived in rural Quebec.

The Quebec Court of Appeal upheld the decision.

The Criminal Code allows the Crown to seize offence-related property in cases where the offence “was committed in relation to that property.”

Earlier this week the Quebec government announced its intention to crack down on drunk driving, by allowing police to temporarily seize an offender’s car, and fully confiscate it at third offence.