IMPAIRED DRIVING NEVER ENDS WELL
You could lose your licence or go to jail — even if you don’t cause a deadly crash
British Columbia is home to the toughest impaired driving laws in the country. Those laws, coupled with the lifelong personal consequences that can come from impaired driving, should make anyone think twice before driving under the influence.
Then there’s the fact that, according to ICBC, impairment is one of the top three contributing factors in fatal crashes. On average, 66 people die annually in B.C. in accidents involving impaired driving.
Other stats reveal that 58 per cent of impaired-related crashes take place on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 40 per cent of them take place at night between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
The term “impairment” isn’t limited to just alcohol and illegal drugs. Some legal prescription medications can leave you impaired under the Criminal Code.
Certain cold and flu medications as well as drugs for allergies can cause drowsiness, making you slow to react and unfocused.
Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs should also never be mixed with alcohol. Remember to read labels carefully and talk with your doctor to make sure you’re safe to drive.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the penalties for driving under the influence:
If you’re caught behind the wheel ■ while under the influence in B.C., your licence will be suspended from 24 hours to 90 days and your vehicle will be impounded on the spot.
Fines range from $600 up to ■
$4,060, and you may be faced with jail time.
Depending on the offence, the ■ driver may also face mandatory rehabilitation, or an ignition interlock device will be installed into the vehicle, meaning that the driver must provide clean breath samples before the vehicle will start.
Simply put, driving under the influence of any substance simply isn’t worth it.
So what about marijuana? According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, marijuana delays reaction time, making it dangerous not only for you, but also for other drivers on the road. If mixed with other substances, like alcohol, the dangers of smoking marijuana and driving are magnified significantly.
With the federal government’s plan to legalize marijuana, expect to see a new threshold established very soon, and some changes to the current laws regarding impaired driving.
For example, in Colorado, where marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of pot is illegal.
Any driver found with more than five nanograms of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, per millilitre of blood could be charged with DUI.
The simplest way to keep yourself and others safe is to plan ahead. If you have a feeling you’ll want to drink alcohol or use marijuana for a night out, arrange a ride with a friend who won’t be drinking or using, or call a cab to take you home.
It’s also important to know the legal limits in B.C., and this can depend on the type of licence you have. The legal limit under the B.C. Motors Act is under 0.05 blood alcohol content, but novice and learner’s drivers in B.C.’s graduated licensing program will be suspended for 12 hours and required to start their stage over if any alcohol is detected on the approved screening device. AUTO NOTE: Impaired driving and distracted driving contribute to a high number of fatalities on B.C. roads. Every year, approximately 78 deaths occur due to distracted driving. Have a word with yourself before getting behind the wheel and avoid any behaviours that can spell danger for yourself or others. And remember — leave the phone alone while you’re on the road.