Impaired Driving

Information relating to impaired driving.

CASE LAW - Rossi v Superintendent of Motor Vehicles

BC Courts Coat of ArmsMr. Rossi was investigated for driving while impaired by alcohol. He provided a breath sample that registered a fail reading on an Approved Screening Device. Subsequent to that he supplied two samples of breath analyzed at 80 mg% on a BAC Datamaster C instrument. As a result of this, the investigator served Mr. Rossi with an Administrative Driving Prohibition for 90 days.

You Blew a Fail, What Now?

RSDAfter all the publicity concerning BC having the toughest impaired driving penalties in Canada you decide to drink and drive. You are stopped by police, blow a fail reading (BAC > 100 mg% or .10) on the screening device and are now in serious trouble for the first time in your driving career. What happens under the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) Program?

Driving with a BAC Between 50 and 80 mg%

Alcosensor FSTIn 1977 BC established the limit of 50 mg% as the provincial limit on Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for drivers. When tested with an approved screening device drivers with a BAC over this limit received a 24 hour roadside prohibition. Relatively recently, this prohibition also included a 24 hour vehicle impoundment to go along with the prohibition.

CASE LAW - R v Berner

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis is the provincial court decision rendered by Judge P.D. Gulbranson finding Carol Ann Berner guilty of all charges arising out of the death of Alexa Middelaer and the serious injuries caused to her aunt, Daphne Middelaer.

CASE LAW - R v Rock

BC Courts Coat of ArmsKurtis William Rock was an 18 year old who spent the day drinking beer in the park with friends. At the conclusion of the drinking session he loaded two minors in his mother's Buick Rendezvous and entered traffic in the City of Vancouver.

READING - Energy Drinks and Impaired Driving

National Safety Commission LogoThe US National Safety Commission reports on the use of energy drinks and the possibility of caffeine impaired driving. Energy drinks contain significant amounts of caffeine and when consumed to excess can lead to caffeine intoxication. This results in behavioural changes that increase the risk of aggressive driving and collision.

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