Concerns have been raised about the fairness of the province’s Ignition Interlock program. Local critics say it is unfair because the closest facility to have the equipment installed is on Vancouver Island and it penalizes Powell River residents more than people who live in the city.
Ignition Interlock is a program to try to rehabilitate drivers who have been caught drinking and driving. It has been running in British Columbia since February 2009 and is widely used across Canada and the United States as a means to reducing impaired driving.
An ignition interlock is a dash-mounted device wired into the car’s ignition system that requires the driver to provide a breath sample before attempting to drive and throughout the trip at various points.
The device costs the driver $1,560 to be installed and remains in the car for a year. The driver must take the car back to the shop where the installation was done after the first month and then every two months after that for maintenance and to download information.
Drivers are referred to the interlock program if they have alcohol-related impaired driving offences on their driving record: a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition (IRP); a 30-day IRP; three alcohol-related 24-hour prohibitions within five years; or a combination of an alcohol-related 24-hour prohibition, a three-day IRP or a seven-day IRP.
Since June 15, 2012 Powell River RCMP have issued 28 90-day IRPs and 12 three-day IRPs. If a driver is stopped by the police and blows over 0.08 on the blood alcohol scale he or she is given an automatic fail. Their car is impounded for 30 days, they are issued a 90-day IRP and enrolled in the interlock program by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
The program is run through a private company called Guardian Interlock Services and installation of the device is performed at auto glass and muffler shops. The problem for Powell River residents who are entered into the program is that the nearest location to have the device installed and maintained is Nanaimo, which means expensive trips to Vancouver Island.
Jeff Turner is a construction worker who pours concrete. He said he hasn’t been in the program himself, however, some of his friends have been and he’s watched what they’ve had to go through.
Turner said the expense of having to take the ferry to the island is a big concern and then also having to find someone to drive the person there. “When you add up all the costs of the fines and fees you’re looking at over four grand.” he said. “They’re already getting slammed with huge fines.
“The government makes the alcohol legal,” he added. “At least they should make sure that the systems are in place if they get an impaired charge. All they have to do is get a contract set up with one of the auto glass places in Powell River.”
Turner said that he’s not against people getting punished for breaking laws, he just would like it a little more fair and that having to pay out more than $4,000 to “get your life back,” poses a greater punishment on working people than those with money.
“The ignition interlock is an administrative sanction that is designed to immediately remove impaired drivers from our roadways,” said Sergeant Rod Wiebe of Powell River RCMP detachment. “It is part of the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program, a program used by police to remove impaired drivers off BC’s roadways and keep our roads and communities safe. As we are responsible for keeping the roads in and around Powell River safe we are supportive of any initiative that helps us achieve this. As the holiday season approaches, it is worth reminding drivers that if you plan on drinking, please plan on a safe ride home.”
