BC Gov News

Attorney General Shirley Bond issued this statement on today's B.C. Supreme Court decision on immediate roadside prohibitions:

"We are appreciative that Justice Sigurdson recognized the important public-safety purpose of the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program, and that he has given government until June 30, 2012 to propose legislative changes to the aspects of the law that require amendment.

"We will work to introduce changes to the Motor Vehicle Act as soon as possible in the spring legislative session. We continue to analyze Justice Sigurdson's comprehensive decision to determine what those changes will consist of.

"We are pleased that the court order upheld the constitutionality of the 90-day IRP for those who refuse to provide a breath sample at roadside when requested to do so by a police officer. The IRP program has also been found to be constitutionally valid by the court for those who blow in the warn range of 0.05 to 0.08.

"The statistics speak for themselves. Forty-five more people are alive to enjoy the holidays this year because police stopped impaired drivers, people who would not be with their families today without this legislation - that's a 40 per cent reduction in road fatalities. We are not going to give up our fight to remove impaired drivers from B.C.'s roads, and we will continue to use every responsible tool at our disposal to combat drinking and driving.

"We want the public to know police will be out in full force over Christmas as part of their CounterAttack program to protect the public from people who are drinking and driving."

Media Contact,

Immediate Roadside Prohibitions program:

Media Relations

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

250 356-6961

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