The province’s tough drinking and driving laws have had a significant impact on the number of deaths from alcohol-related crashes according to a new study – and B.C. is now being used as ‘an example to follow’ for the rest of the country.
The changes, 0.08 to 0.05, came into effect in 2010 and the study, done by the University of Victoria’s Centre for Addictions research, says it saved more than 100 lives to date. The Immediate Roadside Prohibition or IRP legislation passed in 2010 was to help police and courts process drunk drivers more effectively.
Collisions resulting in fatalities are reduced by 40 per cent, injuries have dropped by 23 per cent and property damage is down by nearly 20 per cent.
While this translates to safer roads, drivers have yet to see it trickle down to their wallets. ICBC says that could take some time.
The study’s findings could be setting a precedent for more provinces and territories to develop similar legislation.
Comments