The days of lockdowns and COVID restrictions seem to be behind us now. Check stops and sobriety checkpoints are appearing more frequently, and drinking and driving is being cracked down on. While you might have been able to sneak by with one drink, these are the facts when it comes to driving impaired.
Alcohol and drug-related driving prohibitions and suspensions
Alcohol- and drug-affected driving are leading causes of death on the roads. Police are trained to recognize the effects of alcohol and drugs on drivers. Police remove drivers from the road by issuing driving prohibitions and licence suspensions. Learn more about them here:
12-hour suspensions apply to Graduated Licensing Program participants only. If a Graduated Licensing Program driver has any alcohol, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis), or cocaine in their body, they may be served with a 12-hour suspension.
What happens?
- You must surrender your licence. You must not drive until your suspension is over and you have recovered your licence from the police.
- After your suspension is over, you’ll start your 24-month (N) licensing period over.
- If you’re a learner (L), you must reattempt all testing.
Other consequences
- RoadSafetyBC will review your driving record and may add prohibitions. For more information, visit the Driver Improvement Program.
- If you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) not less than 0.05 BAC or you’re affected by drugs, you will face the consequences of a fully licensed driver.
For more information, visit Driving while affected by drugs or alcohol.
24-hour prohibitions
Police can issue a 24-hour prohibition if:
- They have reasonable grounds to believe alcohol or drugs have affected your ability to operate a motor vehicle.
- You had care or control of a vehicle.
What happens?
- You must surrender your licence and can only recover it when your prohibition ends.
- Your prohibition starts as soon as you’re served your Notice of Driving Prohibition, effective for 24 hours.
- Police will send a copy of your prohibition notice to ICBC, and it will remain on your record permanently.
- If you believe alcohol or drugs have not affected your ability to drive, you can request a blood alcohol content test or a physical coordination test from the police.
Other consequences
- Police may choose to impound your vehicle for 24 hours, with no appeal allowed. You must pay towing and storage costs to recover it.
- If you have three 24-hour prohibitions, you may be required to take part in the Responsible Driver Program or the Ignition Interlock Program.
3-, 7-, 30-, or 90-day prohibitions
Police can issue these prohibitions if they find that alcohol has affected your ability to drive. They can demand a breath sample using an approved screening device. If the result is a Warn or Fail, you will face the following:
What happens for a Warn?
- 3-day prohibition for a first-time offence.
- 7-day prohibition for a second offence within five years.
- 30-day prohibition for a third offence within five years.
What happens for a Fail?
- Immediate 90-day driving prohibition.
- Vehicle impoundment for 30 days.
If you’re caught driving impaired, you could face a criminal charge under the Criminal Code.
Conclusion
Drinking and driving carries significant risks to your life and others. It could lead to losing your licence, having your car impounded, a criminal record, and hefty costs. The consequences can be life-altering.
Choose a safer alternative: hire a designated driver, call a taxi, book a safe ride home, grab an Uber, or call a friend. MyDDride is available 24/7 to provide you and your vehicle with a safe ride home. You don’t need to drink and drive if you want to get your vehicle home.
If you get caught drinking and driving and need to have your vehicle picked up from the impound lot, give us a call. We will drive you and your vehicle home from the impound lot while you wait the 90 days to get back on the road.