The new B.C. laws related to speeding and drunk driving are now the toughest in Canada and the opinion spectrum is all over the road map.
Under the revamped rules, testing for a blood-alcohol reading of .08 per cent results in an immediate 90-day driving ban, along with a 30-day vehicle impoundment, a $500 fine and a $250 licence-reinstatement fee.
A reading of between .05 and .079 means an immediate three-day driving ban, a $250 fine, $200 to get your licence back and a possible three-day vehicle impoundment.
Lead-footed drivers who clock 40 kilometres over the limit are looking at seven days without their vehicles and a hefty fine.
The naysayers figure the whole thing is just a cash grab for Victoria. Detractors claim the nanny state has gradually morphed into the police state. They claim the police have been given too many draconian powers, denying drivers their basic rights.
Whatever the case may be, what is becoming apparent is the axis of power has shifted away from courtroom lawyers to the cops by the roadside.
Specialists in springing drunk drivers via legal finesse and technicalities have, in some measure, given way to police officers who now have enhanced powers to confiscate drivers' licences, impound cars and impose fines.
Robert Holmes, president of the BC Civil Liberties Association, claims police officers are now playing the role of "judge, jury and executioner."
Supporters of the new laws say it's about time we caught up to the tougher drunk driving legislation apparent in many other jurisdictions, such as the European Union. The legal impairment threshold is much lower in Belgium, Denmark, Finland and France, countries that are among 48 nations with limits at .05 per cent. China, Japan, Norway and Sweden, among others, have even lower tolerances.
In Germany, on average, fines range from $800 to $2,000 and licence suspensions range from six to 12 months. Licences can be suspended from the first encounter with the police until the court date.
Some EU member nations permit random roadside breathalyser testing at the discretion of the police and require convicted drivers to install alcohol interlocks, or breathalysers.
Some also mandate rehabilitation programs for offenders, which in Germany can end up costing drivers in the 15,000 Euro range.
A quick look at the police blotter here in town on any given weekend will underscore the need to curb drunk driving, especially involving speed and reckless driving behaviour.
ICBC statistics reveal that alcohol-related crashes cost ICBC and drivers more than $140 million in claims annually from 2005 to 2009.
Ultimately, if you plan on hitting a local watering hole these days, there are three possible outcomes. You can take your chances and drive home undetected by the police.
Option two is you can hoof it, hail a cab, use public transit, or ride with a designated driver.
Option three is get caught and shell out anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 in fines, and other costs, lose your licence, possibly spend some time in the slammer and kiss your vehicle good-bye for awhile, right on the spot. The choice is yours.
