B.C.'s immediate roadside prohibition (IRP) law remains fully in effect so that those who continue to drink and drive will be held to account with mandatory roadside penalties, which include immediate driving prohibitions, vehicle impoundments and financial penalties.

• To date, an estimated 143 lives have been saved and alcohol-related fatalities have dropped by 51% since the law came into force in 2010.
• UVic's Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) gave B.C. the top ranking among Canadian provinces when it comes to drinking and driving policies.
• A new study by CARBC also shows that, beyond the lives this law has helped save, it has also resulted in significant declines in injuries (23%) and property damage (19.5%).
• In 2012, amendments to the IRP program enhanced the fairness of the appeal process while preserving the deterrent value of B.C.'s tough approach to drinking and driving; penalties were unchanged.
• In a 2012 Roadside Alcohol and Drug Survey, more than 82 per cent of drivers said they were aware of the IRP sanctions and 90 per cent said they felt the legislation would make roads safer.
  

IRP stats:

• Each month, on average, 1,500 drivers in B.C. are issued an IRP for drinking and driving.
• Between June 2012 and May 2013, 18,888 IRPs were issued (an average of 1,574 per month).
• Of these, 2,708 (or 14%) drivers requested a review of their IRP.
• Of those who requested a review, 2,105 were upheld and 603 were revoked.
• On average, only 2-3% of all IRPs are revoked after a review.
  

Learn More:

• Attorney General and Justice Minister Suzanne Anton comments on two recent court rulings related to B.C.'s IRP law: https://soundcloud.com/bcgov/minister-anton-irp-ruling
• Superintendent of Motor Vehicles Sam MacLeod comments on a recent court ruling (Buhr) related to B.C.'s IRP law: https://soundcloud.com/bcgov/sam-macleod-superintendent-of
• Infographic of B.C.'s immediate roadside prohibition penalties: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/shareddocs/immediate-roadside-prohibition-penalties.pdf
• View the CARBC news release on the effectiveness of B.C.'s drinking and driving law: http://www.carbc.ca/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/714/Files/332/130612MediaRelease.pdf
• View the CARBC report on alcohol-related harms and costs: http://www.carbc.ca/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/558/Files/335/Bulletin%202013-08.pdf
  

Contact:
  
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-6961