In British Columbia, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for fully licensed drivers is 0.08%. However, the question of how many drinks you can have before reaching this limit is more complicated than it might seem. Several factors affect your BAC, including your body weight, metabolism, the type of alcohol you drink, and how […]
How Many Drinks Can You Have and Drive in BC? Continue Reading »
Energy drinks, typically containing caffeine, taurine, and glucuronolactone (CTG), are widely marketed with claims of improved concentration, reaction time, vigilance, and endurance. Research largely supports caffeine’s role in enhancing cognitive performance, particularly attention, vigilance, and reaction time, and in counteracting fatigue. However, the specific contributions of taurine and glucuronolactone, especially in combination with caffeine, are
The Effects of Energy Drinks on Impaired Driving Continue Reading »
Who would ever imagine this would be an issue? The use of rap lyrics and music videos as evidence in criminal trials has been a hot topic in some recent court decisions. When determining whether rap lyrics can be admitted as evidence, courts must carefully consider two important factors: probative value and prejudicial effect. This
Can Rap Music Lyrics or Music Videos Be Used as Evidence in Court? Continue Reading »
If you’re facing a first-time DUI charge, you’re probably wondering what kind of sentence you might receive. In Canada, the penalties for a first DUI conviction are serious but can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. Understanding the potential outcomes and how to minimize them is essential. Here’s what you can expect and
What is the Most Common Sentence for a First DUI? Continue Reading »
When the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) scheme was introduced in British Columbia in 2010, it fundamentally changed how DUI cases are handled in the province. Over the years, our blog has become the go-to resource for people trying to make sense of this complex and often confusing system. With more than 1,000 blog posts—many focused
IRP Blog: Navigating the Traps of BC’s Immediate Roadside Prohibition Scheme Continue Reading »
You may have heard strange stories about people getting DUI charges on unconventional “vehicles” like lawnmowers, bicycles, or even horses. But in Canada, can you actually be charged with a DUI for riding a horse under the influence? The short answer: no.
Can I Get a DUI on a Horse? Understanding DUI Laws in Canada Continue Reading »
In 2015, British Columbia replaced the older Alco-Sensor IV DWF, an Approved Screening Device (ASD), with the newer Alco-Sensor FST breathalyzer. Now, with over a decade of data, we can see that this change led to a significant rise in “refuse to blow” cases. But why would a new ASD cause more drivers to be
Did a New Breathalyzer Lead to More Refusals in BC DUI Cases? Continue Reading »
Every spring we see an increase in 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions issued based on an allegation of refusing to blow. There are a couple of reasons refusal DUIs go up in spring here in British Columbia. On the one hand more people are getting out to enjoy the weather, doing outdoor activities and the police
Pollen and roadside breathalyzers Continue Reading »
Understanding the intricacies of breathalyzer testing and its potential implications is crucial in ensuring justice in DUI cases. Here, we delve into a recent study exploring the impact of the volume of air provided during testing on breath alcohol readings. There are numerous factors that can artificially elevate or artificially lower breath alcohol readings when
Can you Influence The Breathalyzer Just By How Much Air You Blow? Continue Reading »
If you receive an Immediate Roadside Prohibition, your first thought may be “how can I fight this?” Then you get online, and you start reading about disputes and the appeal remedy for a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP). Some of the information the government puts out suggests that you can take your shot at their
The Appeal Remedy for a 90-Day Immediate Roadside Prohibition Continue Reading »
Sometimes legal terms are chosen to make a distinction that doesn’t really exist. A good example of this is the terms we have used in Canada to deal with people who drove while their driving privileges are under suspension. In Canadian federal law we used to refer to a driving prohibition pursuant to the Criminal
Driving while prohibited, suspended, disqualified Continue Reading »
In British Columbia most DUIs are 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, which are issued based on a roadside breath test taken with a hand-held breathalyzer. In one of Kyla Lee’s recent TikToks she explained why you can get a DUI in BC if you use a vape. We thought we should tell you what the government
Vaping and DUIs Continue Reading »
