Strong legal challenges from motorists forced to pay thousands of dollars in costs as part of the government’s get-tough impaired driving laws have prompted a review that could put the brakes on drunk driving penalties worth more than $2,600 for some drivers, says British Columbia’s deputy superintendent of motor vehicles.
“What’s happened is we’ve had some petitions lately with some strong legal arguments,” said Stephanie Melvin. “We’ve taken another look at what we’re trying to do.”
Vancouver lawyer Paul Doroshenko, whose practice specializes in impaired driving cases, estimates about a half dozen of the 17 motorists who sparked the government review are his clients.
He said the current law leaves no room for discretion and forces every driver into the education and interlock programs without review of their individual driving records or hearings on their behalf. “The point was we knew it wasn’t discretionary,” said Doroshenko. “It was being applied across the board without review of people’s driving record. They created no opportunity to review it.
“Read it on Global News: Global BC | B.C. reviewing drunk driving penalties after laws challenged