The Responsible Driver Program is a mandatory alcohol and driving course that RoadSafetyBC requires drivers to attend and complete after receiving a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition or an Administrative Driving Prohibition.
The difficulty with the Responsible Driver Program in these unusual times is that Stroh Healthcare, a healthcare company, may have been slow to change to adapt to concerns over the spread of COVID-19 and the social distancing measures put in place by government. We had many concerns expressed to us by clients who had contacted Stroh and felt they had not received a satisfactory answer about what they are doing to address the spread of COVID-19 and the social-distancing orders in place.
We have now received information from Stroh Healthcare about the specific measures they are taking to abide by provincial orders, and we are sharing it with you here.
Typically, the Responsible Driver Program classes are held as in-person, group sessions. This created obvious problems for abiding by social-distancing protocols, and about the potential for people who were ill to attend the course in order to have it completed. As we have learned from clients in the past, failure to attend a scheduled session can result in forfeiture of the registration fees.
For clients who are or were successful in having their programs rescheduled, this potentially delayed reinstatement of their driving privileges, thereby putting them at risk for COVID-19 exposure on public transit.
Finally, the Responsible Driver Program has been adapted so no one who is ill, exposed, immunocompromised, or under a self-isolation order must reschedule.
Registration for the program is done by fax or mail. Mailed registrations are, however, delayed because they are not being delivered as frequently. This means that unless you fax your materials to Stroh, you may not have your registration processed, or your reinstatement eligibility.
Unfortunately, Stroh continues to refuse to process registrations electronically.
Screening interviews for the program are being done by telephone, which has been normal practice. We have written a guideline for navigating the program, which you can find here. You can also hear about one person’s experience in the program on this episode fo the Driving Law podcast with host Kyla Lee. These are valuable resources if you are about to attend the program.
And finally, in-person sessions of the program have been put on hold. Many of our clients over the past month have been asking for this, and it has not yet happened so we are pleased to advise that this is now taking place. Apparently, they had to get special authorization from RoadSafetyBC to deliver the program remotely.
Which, frankly, stinks. In the midst of a pandemic with social-distancing orders in effect, the government’s own body in charge of this program did not just immediately say “offer the program remotely.” But then, this is the same government agency that isn’t automatically granting extensions if you miss your seven-day limitation period to dispute your prohibition because of the pandemic. So there’s that.
But, at least for now, the Responsible Driver Program is going to be administered via videoconferencing and remote technology to address COVID-19 concerns.
I was put in 16 hr RDP course. Since Covid it was said it would be done through Microsoft teams. It has been revised now, to 4, half hour telephone calls with counsellor every other Saturday….my last one March 13, 2021.
So my 16 hr (almost $1000) course was done in two hrs! I’m good with the time frame…disturbed about the cost…but finally a light at the end of tunnel. The counsellor was very nice and she said she would prefer to do future classes this way because it’s one on one rather than a classroom of angry, embarrassed people who don’t really want to talk about their personal lives in front of strangers. She also said that one of the reason IRP’s were taking out of the court rooms was that if you were rich enough and had a good lawyer you could get off easier compared to the guy who had no money and poor representation…makes sense, however…she said it’s the same thing with the RDP program…if your poor you can forget trying to pay for that. That was my problem..my 3 month IRP turned into a year and a half of me trying to borrow money to pay for it. I finally did..she says she has seen many go for years without licence because they can’t afford it and would rather see it something that could be paid off like ICBC fines. Anyway…Things should be reviewed in my opinion, on the program..not saying it isn’t needed just some changes considered. All in all, I did learn a thing or two…definitely won’t be stupid again when I get my licence back.
I am taking it next Sunday on a computer for 8 hours. This is from a incident in 2016. I donot drink or use drugs almost three years sober. My concern is me sitting in one spot for 8 hours plus after playing the 1000 now I have to buy headphones and. A mic
Hi Tatanya, during this time you were taking the course, did you have your license reinstated? Or was it suspended?
The 90 days to make sure I get placed in a class is up in 3 days, I was wondering what happens when they don’t fulfill their (Stroh Health) end?
I’ve taken the program. Covid style. By phone once a week. Quite informative. Now I need the Interlock System for a year. Makes the Program seem useless. Fines, costs, going forward seems impossible. 1 impaired conviction in over 40 years driving. I’m concerned. We are living in a no-alcohol society. Strange when the Gov. controls it all. Society for the Wealthy now.
Gary
how quickly can I serve the 16 hour course ?