Jeff's Idea Lab Blog

It could happen to you.

You're driving down the road, minding your own business, when all of a sudden your changes in a big way.

Forever.

You get hit by a drunk driver.

What would the appropriate sanctions be for a person who shows such little regard for the lives of others ?

BC's provincial government has recently let it be known that the current laws are not tough enough on drunk drivers.

And when BC's new drunk driving laws come into effect this fall it's all going to change.

Under the new laws drivers who blow over .08, or refuse to provide a breath sample, will face an immediate 90 day driving ban and a $500 fine. They'll also have their vehicle impounded for 30 days and will have to take a responsible driving course at a cost of $880.

Drivers who blow between .05 and .08 will face an immediate 3 day driving ban and a fine of $200.

This will increase to a 7 day ban and $300 fine if the same driver blows within the "warning zone" a 2nd time within 5 years. And a third such infraction will result in a 30 day ban and a $400 fine.

Believe it or not drinking and driving is still a big problem in BC.

Despite all the work done by police and such groups as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, every year many British Columbians are injured and killed by impaired drivers.

Finally though someone "grabbed the bull by the horns" and said "enough to enough".

Michael and Laurel Middelaer's 4 1/2 year old daughter Alexa was killed by a drunk driver 2 years ago. Alexa and her aunt Daphene were feeding a horse on the side of a rural road in Delta when the tragedy occured.

Over the past 2 years the Middelars have spent countless hours lobbying to get BC's drunk driving laws changed. These changes are a testament to their efforts.

For those of us who represent individuals who've been injured ina car accident, these changes to BC's drunk driving laws couldn't have come too soon. We've seen first hand the damage that's done to hard working people and their families by drunk drivers.