## driving tip 

For more information on the Driver Improvement Program, please read the Driver Improvement Policies and Guidelines on the RoadSafetyBC website. 

## fast fact 

B.C. now has tougher drinking and driving laws. You can count on penalties adding up to $600 to over $4,000 — even if it’s the first time you’re caught — and more time off the road. 

For more information on B.C.’s impaired driving laws, go to icbc.com , the RoadSafetyBC website and the Justice Laws Website. 

• one or more excessive speeding convictions, and/or 

• two or more roadside suspensions. 

The DRP is assessed and calculated based on your offences over a three-year period, and applies to offences that occurred on or after January 1, 2008. 

A bad driving record may also result in driver improvement action, including warning letters and driving prohibitions. The threshold for intervention is more stringent for drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program. 

## Driver Improvement Program 

RoadSafetyBC is responsible for the Driver Improvement Program, although ICBC carries out some of the administration. 

Any time a driving offence is entered on a record, that record is reviewed under guidelines specified by RoadSafetyBC. Every case is looked at on an individual basis. If the driver continues to drive unsafely and is convicted of more offences: 

• the driver may get a warning letter that he or she could lose their driving privileges unless there is improvement. 

• the driver could be placed on probation. If there are more driving offences during the probationary period, he or she may be prohibited from driving for a specific period of time. 

• if the driver rapidly accumulates offences, a driving prohibition may be initiated without previous warnings. 

## Penalties for impaired driving 

Impaired driving remains one of the major causes of crashes in B.C. It kills more than 100 people each year and thousands more are injured. 

You risk a lot by driving impaired. There are penalties under British Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act  and under the Criminal Code of Canada. 

Immediate and severe penalties apply if: 

• you drive with a certain amount of alcohol or drugs in your system, or 

• you refuse to provide a breath sample. 

As well, the penalties become more severe for repeat offences. 

Note:  You may be prohibited if a police officer considers your ability to drive to be affected by alcohol or drugs. You do not have to have a BAC level of over .08 or a BDC of 2 nanograms or more THC. 

