The province recently introduced new regulations that harden the consequences for impaired driving in B.C. The regulations are in support of the province’s aim to have the safest roads in North America by 2020.
Drivers with specific serious prohibitions for drinking and drug affected driving are now required to partake in remedial programs.
The mandatory programs are designed to help prevent the irresponsible behaviour and bad habits from reoccurring.
Drivers required to partake will participate in the Responsible Driver Program (RDP), with a focus on education and counseling and/or the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP). Under this program, a device is installed into a vehicle to thwart drivers from operating the vehicle if they are impaired.
“These measures will help both deter and prevent unsafe drivers from getting back on our roads. There will no longer be financial or hardship considerations to exempt high-risk drivers from these remedial programs,” said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Morris, “Let me be clear. If you are caught drinking and driving and therefore putting your life and the lives of others at risk, it will cost you. Driving while affected by alcohol or drugs is reckless and selfish behaviour for which this province has no tolerance.”
Since the implementation of the IIP program in 2010, the province estimates that there has been a 52 per cent reduction in alcohol-related car accidents, saving 260 lives.
In 2014, impaired driving caused 61 deaths on B.C. roads, which the province deems as preventable deaths, as they occurred due to poor choices.