Following up to my article in April when they announced the tough new impaired driving laws, British Columbia's new impaired driving law is about to kick in on Monday, September 20th. This will make B.C. have the toughest impaired driving laws in the country.
Now I cannot say if these stronger penalties could have prevented my friends death or others who have died at the hands of impaired drivers but it should will prevent future loss of life. Impaired driving alone kills an average of 133 people and injures more than 3,000 each year and hopefully that number is going to go down, and fast.
Between 1998 and 2007, 1,133 people were killed and 32,551 people injured in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in British Columbia. This included the deaths of 115 children.
(source- PDF)
Now what are these new impaired driving laws I speak of? How severe are they? To start, you can now face a driving ban of 3 days and hefty fines starting at 0.05 blood-alcohol level instead of the previous 0.08 level.
Now one thing to note, impaired driving laws are not just for cars. It doesn't matter if you’re driving a car, piloting a boat or plane, or any other motor vehicle, this law applies. This can also apply even if you were not driving and did not move the vehicle. Short and sweet of it, BTW I AM NOT A LAWYER, if you are in care or control of a vehicle, which means you were in the driver’s seat and had access to the ignition key, you could be charged. Something to think about. Capiche?
So first let's start with the new stuff. Before if you blew 0.05 to 0.08 also known as the WARNING level, you would get a 24 hour suspension and possibly your car towed and $100 fee when you renew your license, now it kicks it up and goes a little like this:
First Offense for 0.05 in a 5 year period:
3 day driving ban
Car impounded for 3 days (towing & storage fees will cost about $150)
$250 driver's license reinstatement fee
$200 administrative driving penalty
Total: $600+
Second Offense for 0.05 in a 5 year period:
7 day driving ban
Possibly have car impounded for 7 days (towing & storage fees will cost about $200)
$300 administrative driving penalty
$250 driver's license reinstatement fee
TOTAL: $750+
Third Offense for 0.05 in a 5 year period:
30 day driving ban
Car impounded for 30 days (towing & storage fees will cost about $700)
$400 administrative driving penalty
$250 driver's license reinstatement fee
Then to regain your driving privileges:
$880 for the Responsible Driver Program
$1420 for an ignition interlock device (use for one full year)
TOTAL: $3,650+
First Offense for 0.08:
90 day driving ban
Car impounded for 30 days (towing & storage fees will cost about $700)
$500 administrative driving penalty
$250 driver's license reinstatement fee
Then to regain your driving privileges:
$880 for the Responsible Driver Program
$1420 for an ignition interlock device (use for one full year)
TOTAL: $4,000+
Plus you also have possible criminal code charges on top of that.
Now I'll give you a second or so to absorb all that info....and times up. If you're under the Graduated licensing program, you can also get additional actions over and above the above stated offenses due to zero tolerance. Also the Motor Vehicle Act places ultimate responsibility on the vehicle owner, so if you lend your car to a friend or family member and they get caught, it will be your car sitting impounded. Another thing to think about.
To see all the info on impaired driving, visit BC Superintendent of Motor Vehicles site: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/
Now what would tough drinking laws be without adding some new speeding laws? They kick in on the same day and they are harsh. If you get caught doing 40km/h over the posted speed limit, AKA excessive speeding, here's what you're gonna get for your first ticket:
$905 fine
Your car is impounded for 7 days (over $200 in towing and storage fees)
$320 more a year for insurance for 3 years!
TOTAL: $2000+
Keep it up and subsequent charges grow quickly and it can get up to $24,000, yes $24,000. Do it in a construction zone and double the fine. If we combine theses two new changes to the impaired driving and speeding laws, let's say you and some friends went for couple beers after work, stayed a bit too long and now need to rush home (or somewhere else) and get caught speeding 40km/h over the posted limit. If you blew over 0.05 blood-alcohol, you would be looking around $2500 in fines and no vehicle for a week.
Now for the ignorant or the gamblers/risk takers, this will not stop them from having a couple drinks and getting behind the wheel BUT the repercussions are now severe enough that after being busted once, most (unless they can financially afford it) won't do it again. Getting caught could also affect your employment if you commute or drive for a living. There is also the financial aspect too. If you live pay check to pay check, which is nearly 60% of the Canadian population, you could become homeless.
One thing to keep in mind, blowing a point 0.05 blood-alcohol level varies per person. There are factors such as weight, how many drinks you've had in a certain time frame and the strength of the drink. There are various blood-alcohol calculator sites that can give a rough estimate based on that info. As an example, say a 160lbs person drank 2 Canadian beers (5% alcohol) in 1 hour, you can now potentially blow a 0.05. Depending on when you finished your last drink and got behind the wheel could also effect the reading. Curious what you would be, check it out for yourself to get a rough idea of what your limit is here
With these new laws coming into effect, i have NO sympathy for anyone that gets caught. You were aware of the risks, you took them and now you can pay the price. Consider it as the police office just saved your life, other occupants in the car or someone else innocently affected by the ignorance and inconsideration of another. And if you've read this far, you are now aware and educated so the CHOICE is up to you now.
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