This is one of the most common questions people ask after a DUI stop in BC: “Should I just refuse to blow?” The short answer is no. And the longer answer is still no, but it’s worth understanding exactly why. The idea that refusing a breath test somehow helps you is a myth that gets […]
Should I Blow? What Happens If You Refuse a Breath Test in British Columbia Continue Reading »
The first 24 hours after a DUI arrest are disorienting, exhausting, and often frightening. Here’s a clear picture of what’s actually happening during that time and what you need to be doing. The Arrest and Initial Processing When police have reasonable grounds to believe you’ve committed an impaired driving offence, either being over .08, being
24 Hours After a DUI Arrest in Vancouver: What Happens and What You Should Do Continue Reading »
If you’ve just been handed an Immediate Roadside Prohibition notice in British Columbia, you’re probably holding a piece of paper and wondering what it actually means for your life. Let’s break it down clearly. What Is an Immediate Roadside Prohibition? An Immediate Roadside Prohibition, commonly called an IRP, is a provincial driving prohibition issued by
Immediate Roadside Prohibition in BC: What It Is and What Happens Next Continue Reading »
Every year, the BC Association of Chiefs of Police publishes a traffic enforcement calendar that maps out coordinated, province-wide enforcement campaigns throughout the year. We watch this calendar closely, and we think you should too. March marks the first major enforcement push of the new year, and it comes in with two simultaneous campaigns running
Vancouver and B.C. Drivers: March Is Peak Traffic Enforcement Month Continue Reading »
We are often contacted by people who want to fight tickets that they were issued in private parking lots. We don’t deal with these cases because it never makes sense to hire a lawyer for a parking ticket. As well, unlike traffic tickets or driving offences, there is no dispute provision written into law. If
What’s the deal with paid parking lots? Continue Reading »
Governments issue driving prohibitions. In each province and territory, there is a government organization (essentially the Department of Motor Vehicles) that is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses. And of course, they also take away driver’s licenses for various reasons. Driving prohibitions can be federal or provincial depending on the type of suspension. And so, it’s
If you have a suspended license, can you drive in another province? Continue Reading »
Generally speaking, it’s not wise to try and spend your time attempting to devise a way to beat a breathalyzer. If you’ve had enough to drink such that your blood alcohol concentration is over 50 mg in 100 ml, you are not permitted to drive in British Columbia. Still, it seems to be a common
Can your breathing pattern beat a breathalyzer? Continue Reading »
Receiving a Notice of Intent to Prohibit from the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles in British Columbia can result in more onerous consequences for some people compared to others. While the notice can feel final, it is important to understand that a driving prohibition is not automatic. You have a limited opportunity to respond and ask
Next Steps After Receiving a Notice of Intent to Prohibit in British Columbia Continue Reading »
If you have just been issued an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP), what you do next matters. These cases move quickly, the rules are rigid, and small mistakes early on can limit your options later. Here are three things you should do immediately. 1. Take Notes as Soon as You Can As soon as the interaction
Three Things to Do Right Now If You Received an IRP Continue Reading »
At traffic stops in Canada, one of the most common questions police ask is simple: “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” It sounds conversational but it is not. It is an investigative question, and how you answer it can only make your situation worse. Why This Question Is a Trap There are three common
How to Answer “Have You Had Anything to Drink Tonight?” Continue Reading »
In Canada, and particularly in British Columbia, there is a persistent myth about police traffic stops. It goes like this: there is no law requiring a driver to roll their window down, so if you crack it open an inch, you can “defeat” the police. The first part of that belief is mostly correct. The
Rolling Your Window Down An Inch Does Not Outsmart the Police Continue Reading »
Most people have a sense that DUI enforcement policy isn’t merely focused on public safety. People assume that it’s political in some manner or another because, generally speaking, the public has become cynical, suspicious of government, politics and the police. Much of the public suspicion we see is not justified, and we say that because
Creepy things about DUI enforcement in British Columbia Continue Reading »
