Impaired Driving

In the section 215 of the MVA, there is a “way out” for the driver being served the 24 hour suspension. The section 215(6) reads as follows:

This is the first reported case that I have seen involving the new Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. In this case Glenn Giesbrecht requests that the prohibition and fine imposed upon him by the IRP be set aside by the court after an unsuccessful review by an adjudicator with the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.

Question: I’m planning a Wedding Reception (Outdoor) for my nephew and his wife in Mid July. There will be about 200 people coming from all over BC, Alberta and Manitoba. I’d like to offer them some transportation with reference to “Drinking and Driving”. I’m sure most if not all my guests are responsible drivers but again I just want to be sure they have a safe ride home.

I have a question and after reading some of your articles, you may be the one to clarify this for me. My son, who is a novice driver in GLP of BC, was in an accident here on Vancouver Island. He was the only one involved, going into the ditch but sustained a large 2" gash on his chin, right down to the bone.

Our new impaired driving penalties appear to be getting the word out: drinking and driving is not acceptable here in B.C. If you do and are caught, it will be a long road to travel in order to restore your driving privileges. So be it, you knew that there could be consequences when you turned the key.

The disposal of beer cans and bottles out of vehicle windows along the twenty mile stretch of road between the main highway cut off and the Port Alice mill is not only a sad commentary about the local transient population, but it also means that an immense amount of drinking and driving has been going on. This has been occurring for many years with no attempt at correction.

I witnessed a discussion the other day about the difference between the charges of driving over .08 BAC and driving impaired. Over .08 BAC is obvious but what actions or behaviours can bring an impaired driving charge? Does it specifically refer to alcohol and drugs. Can a person be deemed impaired by illness, say dementia, or impaired by say a neck brace or cast?

I had a question regarding the Designated Driver Programs that are popping up around town.

On Grey Cup Sunday I had attended a sports bar with a plan to have 3 drinks in a 6 hour time frame and drive home. Well, at half time in the game, my plan was well out the window! At this point I was told of the Designated Driver Program that the bar offers.

I signed up for the service and enjoyed the rest of the game.

Change the Conversation is a national education program on impaired driving in Canada. It contains information about the magnitude and characteristics of the impaired driving problem across Canada, criminal and administrative laws relating to impaired driving, effective programs and policies to reduce impaired driving and the impaired driving system to deal with drunk drivers.

Enforcement action against drivers having a blood alcohol content over 50 mg% (.05) began in 1977 here in British Columbia. In my view, it didn't become a marked deterrent until the recent significant penalty increases imposed by amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act. People are finally making the choice not to drink and drive in numbers that are easily visible.