Repeat bad drivers can expect stiffer penalties

Street racers and stunt drivers in British Columbia could lose their vehicles for up to 36 months as part of new penalties the province is imposing on bad drivers.

The Ministry of Public Safety said Wednesday that as of Friday, prohibitions ranging from three to 36 months will replace existing 15-day penalties for those drivers and other repeat offenders.

The ministry said in an announcement that the same penalties could also be applied to a broader range of offences, including excessive speeding, driving without due care and attention and other high-risk behaviours.

RoadSafety B.C., the lead provincial agency responsible for road safety in the province, will set the length of each prohibition on a case-by-case basis, relying on the driver’s record and details provided by police.

Officers will still be able to immediately impound vehicles for a minimum of seven days if drivers are caught racing or stunt driving, the ministry said.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said drivers posing the greatest risk to people’s lives are often caught repeatedly, suggesting they are not taking consequences seriously.

“We’re going to be scrutinizing their driving more closely and making sure the penalty fits,” Farnworth said.

“Racers who won’t take their cars to the track can expect to walk or use public transit,” he said.

Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord, who is chairman of the traffic safety committee within the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police, said the group was consulted on the new approach.

Dubord said his association believes it will make B.C.’s roads safer.