Drinking and driving

Attitudes toward drinking and driving are changing. Most people agree that drunk driving is not okay. But many people think they're okay to drive after a few drinks.

The fact is, it doesn't take much alcohol to impair your driving. Just because you've only had a couple of drinks doesn't mean you're okay to drive.

Each year, we support enhanced police enforcement to shut down impaired driving through CounterAttack awareness campaigns in July and December.

Here are the current laws and penalties

Note: Harsher laws and tougher penalties are coming to B.C. Effective fall 2010, B.C. will have the toughest drinking driving laws in Canada - check back here for details.

• prohibited from driving (PDF) or
• have your vehicle impounded for 24 hours (PDF).

If you failed or refused a breathalyzer test, you'd be prohibited from driving for 90 days (PDF). You could also be charged with a Criminal Code offence.

If convicted, you would

• be prohibited from driving for at least a year and
• pay way more for car insurance.

If you drove while prohibited or suspended, your car could be impounded for a minimum of 60 days. You would also be subject to a $500 fine, jail time and more driving prohibitions.

Don't gamble with your car insurance

If you drive over the legal alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs, ICBC may not cover you under your Basic Autoplan.

If you crash while drinking and driving, you’re likely in breach of your insurance policy. That means you could be personally responsible for 100 per cent of the costs if you damage someone else’s property or injure them.

Learn more »

Ignition interlock program

The B.C. Government is expanding the ignition interlock program(PDF) in 2009. Up to 4,000 more British Columbians whose driving records show evidence of drinking and driving will now be forced to provide breath samples every time they operate their vehicles.