Thousands of boozy Ontario drivers will be able to avoid trials and help clear court backlogs by admitting guilt starting in 10 days.

The new system, including installation of a monitoring devices that can disable a auto if alcohol is detected, was welcomed Saturday by the CEO of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a Toronto cop.

With about 4,000 backlogged cases before the city’s courts, MADD’s Andrew Murie said letting first offenders not involved in a crash or reckless driving plead guilty, pay fines and drive again after a three-month suspension “is a good compromise.”

Critics, including some police officers, fear letting even low-end offenders loose — even with auto-disabling Ignition Interlock devices — sends the wrong message in the battle against drinking and driving.

“I don’t agree,” Murie told the Sun.

“Some people think punishment is the only solution,” he said. “We believe in rehabilitation.

“The Interlock is a good tool … it focuses on education,” Murie said.

“There’s a whole backlog of cases to be heard and this will help,” he added.

The veteran Toronto officer said many impaired drivers brought into stations don’t have records and are good risks, compared to “hard-core repeat offenders.”

To qualify for speedier clearances, which the officer said take effect Monday, Aug. 3, accused impaired drivers must agree to a slew of conditions: Pleading guilty within 30 days, agreeing to an electronic breath-monitoring Interlock at the end of their three-month suspension, plus paying $1,200 for the device and $200 monthly monitoring fees.

“Some consideration will be given to those who are already in the system,” he added.

Fines vary depending on circumstances and impairment levels, with additional penalties if a driver is caught breaching court orders.

The officer said the device triggers lights and horns to alert passersby and police if it detects alcohol — disabling the ignition for a high level. Since a blood-alcohol level may be declining, the engine may turn over when a driver tries again 15 minutes later.

On its website, the transportation ministry says about 80% of the 13,000 drunk drivers convicted annually in Ontario are “first-time offenders.”