Change The Conversation: Drinking and Driving Facts

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British Columbia

Alcohol-related crashes
Fatalities 2003 - 134 2004 - 138 2005 - 161 2006 - 143 2007 - 150	Drivers in serious injury alcohol-related crashes 2003 - Data not available 2004 - Data not available 2005 - 771 2006 - 754 2007 - 746
Legislation	Blood alcohol concentration limits
Motor Vehicle Act, R.S.B.C., 1996, c. 318, s. 215 www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new /document/ID/freeside/96318_07	Criminal BAC limit: 0.08% Administrative BAC limit: 0.05% Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders
Provincial administrative licence suspension
1st offence: 12 months	2nd offence: 36 months	3rd+ offence: indefinite
Remedial program
In British Columbia, the Responsible Driver Program (RDP) is offered to offenders convicted of impaired driving. Drivers with criminal impaired driving convictions and drivers who have multiple Motor Vehicle Act drinking driving prohibitions are eligible to participate. The Superintendent of the Office of Motor Vehicles sends a letter to all offenders who are required to complete the program; for many offenders licence reinstatement is conditional on successful completion of the program. The RDP costs $880 and begins with an initial screening. Based on the results of this screening, the offender will be referred to one of three programs that will best meet their individual needs. These programs include: 1-day education session conducted in a classroom setting; 16-hour group counseling session that can be scheduled over three months; and, community-based alcohol treatment program for those offenders who suffer from alcohol dependency issues. After an offender has completed their assigned RDP, an assessment will be conducted to determine whether there has been sufficient progress and if the offender is fit to drive. The OSMV (Office of Superintendent of Motor Vehicles) can make several determinations regarding driver status including full reinstatement, requirement to install an interlock, or denial of licence reinstatement.
Alcohol interlock program
Program authority	Office of Superintendent of Motor Vehicles
Eligibility	Mandatory prohibition for first-time criminal offenders; roadside and administrative prohibitions mandatory after three 24-hour prohibitions or two administrative driving prohibitions.
Length of participation	1st offence: 1 year 2nd offence: 2 years 3rd or subsequent offence: 3 years
Monitoring agency	Office of Superintendent of Motor Vehicles
Sanctions for non-compliance	Violations can lead to extended time in the program or removal for persistent non-compliance.
Contact	Stephanie Melvin (Stephanie.Melvin@gov.bc.ca)Phone: (250) 953-3818