Introduction
The Driver Improvement Program (“DIP”) is a RoadSafetyBC initiative designed to enhance road safety in British Columbia (“B.C.”). The DIP identifies and intervenes with drivers who engage in high-risk and unsafe driving behaviour. These types of behaviour include speeding, driving while impaired, driving without insurance, and texting while driving.
The aim of the DIP is to reduce traffic offences and accidents by implementing a system of penalties and rehabilitative measures for drivers with poor driving records.
What is the DIP?
The DIP uses a series of interventions to target and prevent drivers from engaging in high-risk and unsafe driving behaviour.
When you are caught and convicted of engaging in unsafe driving behaviour, you will be issued a penalty point(s). The DIP uses a point system, where a predetermined number of points will be added to your driving record if you are convicted of a traffic offence(s).[1]
A DIP also addresses driving offences which do not have a corresponding penalty point. No-point violations are issued to drivers who exhibit a fundamental disregard for safety and licensing requirements. These violations include:
- Driving without insurance
- Failing to produce a driver’s license or insurance
- Illegal use of a driver’s license or permit
- Failing to wear a seat belt
- Failing to wear a motorcycle safety helmet
- Failing to display L (Learner) or N (Novice) signs in rear window
Although these violations do not have a corresponding penalty point, they do have a corresponding fine. This fine is payable to ICBC.
Each penalty point corresponds with an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act (“MVA”) and the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations. Aside from penalty points, unsafe driving offences can also be identified through convictions for specific offences under the MVA or the Criminal Code of Canada, and by actions taken by the police.
Ultimately, the goal of the DIP is to target drivers who accumulate excessive penalty points or exhibit unsafe driving behaviour. The DIP also offers ‘interventions’ which aim to encourage safe driving practices and reduce accidents by correcting the behaviour of high-risk drivers.
Key components of the DIP:
- Penalty Point System: A driver can accumulate points for every traffic offence they commit. Each offence carries a different number of points. For example, if you are convicted with driving while prohibited, you will be issued 10 penalty points, whereas if you are convicted with speeding, you will be issued 3 penalty points. These points will remain on your record for five years from the date of the offence.
- Intervention Threshold: Under the DIP, Adjudicators impose a variety of interventions on drivers who accumulate a certain number of points within a specific period. An Adjudicator will consider several factors when determining the level of intervention needed. Some factors include:
- Driving experience
- The type and class of licence
- Penalty points
- Severity of the infraction recorded on the driver’s driving record
After an Adjudicator has considered these factors, they will impose an appropriate intervention on the driver. These ‘interventions’ include:
- Warning letters
- Mandatory courses
- Licence prohibitions or suspensions
This threshold helps to identify drivers who frequently violate traffic offences.
The DIP offers drivers training and improvement courses to help correct unsafe driving behaviour and enhance a driver’s knowledge and skills. For example, the Responsible Driver Program (“RDP”) is a remedial program for drivers with alcohol or drug-related driving prohibition or convictions. The aim of the RDP is to educate drivers about safe driving practices and encourage them to stop engaging in high-risk driving behaviours. Additionally, the Ignition Interlock Program (“IIP”) requires drivers who have been convicted of impaired driving to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. This device prevents drivers and motorists from driving a vehicle if alcohol is detected on their breath.
- Licence Prohibitions: A prohibition from driving is the most severe intervention under the DIP. If a driver consistently breaks traffic rules or accumulates a lot of points, the DIP may impose licence prohibitions. The purpose of this is to prevent drivers from legally driving for a specified period.
The DIP aims to deter drivers from engaging in unsafe driving behaviour and encourages drivers to improve their overall road safety.
[1] A complete list of penalty points can be found at:https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/fines-points-offences.