In 2005, B.C. introduced ignition interlock to target some of B.C.'s most irresponsible, high-risk drinking drivers. Now anyone caught drinking and driving will be subjected to the same treatment.
As of Sunday (Feb. 1), drinking driving convictions, prohibitions and roadside suspensions will begin to count toward mandatory use of an ignition interlock device, which requires drivers to provide breath samples every time they operate a vehicle.
Before the vehicle can be started, the driver must breathe into the device. If the analyzed result is higher than a programmed blood alcohol concentration, the vehicle will not start.Anyone convicted of an impaired driving offence after Feb. 1 will be required to install and use an ignition interlock device for a minimum of one year, following any related driving prohibition. The requirement will also apply to anyone who accumulates two 90-day driving prohibitions or three 24-hour roadside suspensions within a five-year period.The mandatory interlock program will not be retroactive. However, as in the past, anyone with repeated impaired driving offences, prohibitions or suspensions may be ordered into the program at the discretion of the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.The user-pay interlock program costs more than $1,500 for one year, and participants may only drive interlock-equipped vehicles. Any participant caught driving a non-interlock-equipped vehicle loses their driver's licence.
