Canada's toughest impaired driving law, plus stiff new speeding penalties took effect throughout British Columbia this week.
"When someone gets behind the wheel of a car and drives drunk or speeds excessively, it's no accident, it's a deliberate choice," Solicitor General Michael de Jong said in a news release. "We want to protect all motorists by giving police more enforcement tools to stop irresponsible drivers in their tracks."
As of Sept. 20, drivers caught with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 or who refuse to take a roadside breathalyzer test face: an immediate 90-day driving ban, the impoundment of their vehicle for 30 days, mandatory participation in the Responsible Driver Program, approximately $4,000 in fees and penalties including the cost of mandatory one-year use of an Ignition Interlock breathalyzer-type device, plus possible criminal charges.
Drivers caught with a blood-alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08 will face, on first offence: an immediate three-day driving ban, $450 in penalties and fees, plus a possible three-day vehicle impoundment and the associated costs.
On a second offence in the "warn" range within a five-year period, the driver faces: an immediate seven-day driving ban, $550 in penalties and fees, plus a possible seven-day vehicle impoundment and the associated costs.
On third and subsequent offences within a five-year period, the driver faces: an immediate 30-day driving ban, $650 in penalties and fees, a 30-day vehicle impoundment plus associated costs, mandatory participation in the Responsible Driver Program, and mandatory use of an Ignition Interlock device for one year.
Speeders caught doing more than 40 km/h above the posted speed limit - as well as street racers, drivers tailgating excessively, or drivers performing wheelies and doughnuts -will face a seven-day vehicle impoundment on first offence, a 30-day impoundment on a second offence within two years, and a 60-day impoundment on third and subsequent offenses within two years.
The new impoundment penalties are in addition to existing penalties, which include: a fine of $368 to $483 depending on the degree of excessive speed, three penalty points on the driver's licence, plus an ICBC driver-risk premium of $320 per year for three years, over and above Autoplan insurance premiums.
According to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, impaired driving is on the rise in the province, killing on average 133 people and causing more than 3,000 injuries annually. The Ministry notes that ICBC stats show that police catch about 10,000 excessive speeders annually.
