Starting September 1, 2024, the Government of British Columbia will implement stricter penalties for dangerous drivers in an attempt to improve road safety. That means offenders will face stiffer fines for exessive speeding, impaired and distracted driving.
The new regulations will also include increased vehicle impoundment fees, and stronger enforcement measures.
Key Changes:
Excessive Speeding:
Drivers caught speeding excessively, which means driving over 40 km/h above the posted limit, will face fines starting at $368. For more severe cases, fines can escalate, and additional penalties like vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days may be imposed.
Impaired Driving:
Penalties for impaired driving have also been increased. First-time offenders now face a minimum fine of $1,000, with potential license suspensions, vehicle impoundment, and mandatory rehabilitation programs. Repeat offenders will experience even harsher consequences, including longer suspensions and possible jail time.
Distracted Driving:
The fines for distracted driving, especially using mobile phones while driving, have been raised to a minimum of $368 for a first offense. Repeat offenses will incur additional fines, higher demerit points, and further consequences impacting insurance premiums.
Impoundment Fee Increases:
Impoundment fees have seen a significant increase, rising by approximately 15%. This increase adds to the financial burden of dangerous driving offenses, as drivers will now face higher costs for retrieving their impounded vehicles, along with storage and towing fees.
Recent reports from the BC Coroners Service confirm British Columbia has seen an increase in traffic-related fatalities and injuries.
According to the province, there were over 1,000 vehicle impoundments due to dangerous driving behaviors, with many cases linked to excessive speeding and impaired driving.
Dangerous Drivers Face Stiffer Fines
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