A BC Supreme Court decision could have consequences for designated drivers.
A judge has ruled that if you are injured in a crash caused by your drunk passenger, you may not be covered by your insurance.
The ruling could impact some safe ride programs like Operation Red Nose. The organization helps intoxicated drivers get home safely during the holiday season.
It’s feared the ruling could have volunteers thinking twice about being a designated driver.
The decision comes after a woman was denied an injury settlement from ICBC after an accident where her intoxicated boyfriend grabbed the steering wheel. She was injured in that crash in Chilliwack in 2006. Her boyfriend was killed.
“I was very surprised,” said Bob Rorison with MADD Canada, speaking on BC1. “I always thought that if you had a designated driver or if you were the designated driver, that you were safe as long as you were sober. And nothing would interfere with that, and I always thought that if there was a crash were you were sober and no matter what the circumstances, that you would be covered by insurance, but unfortunately that’s not the case.”
Rorison said he thinks this will put fear into designated drivers.
“The other thing about designated drivers and professional driving services is, they won’t let the drunk sit in the front seat of the car,” added Rorison.
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