1.) A driver who's licence has been suspended for any reason, including default of family support (with the exception of unpaid fines or medical reasons) is caught driving. Section 55.2 HTA
2.) A driver who is required to have an ignition interlock device and are found driving without one. Section 41.4 HTA
3.) A driver caught with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08 or who fails/refuses to comply with a demand made by a police officer under section 254 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Section 48.4 HTA
OK, so that is the legal stuff. Here is what it all really means and what is important for you to remember.
All these offences identify high risk road users. Those people who have a disregard for the rules of the road and the safety of all of us.
Drivers receive suspension for several reasons. Most commonly for breaking the rules of the road to such a degree that the punishment handed down by the courts is a suspension. Some offences come with mandatory suspensions and you can bet that those are the offences that are high risk behaviours that compromise the safety of everyone. (Impaired driving, stunt driving, multiple demerit point accumulations, etc) = High risk road user.
For a driver to be required to have an ignition interlock device, they have had to have broken the law in terms of drinking and driving. Part of their conviction is the order that they must have the device installed on any vehicle they drive. It is a requirement on their licence. = High risk road user.
Anyone charged with over 80 or refusing / failing to comply with the demand, naturally = High risk road users.
Like I said...the vast majority of us never have to worry about these things. It is only those drivers who have been self identified as high risk road users. Self identified? Yes, they are the ones in control of their behaviours and their actions on our roads.
They are the ones who have completely missed section 31 of the Highway Traffic Act:
Driving a privilege
(a) the privilege of driving on a highway is granted to, and retained by, only those persons who demonstrate that they are likely to drive safely; and
(b) full driving privileges are granted to novice and probationary drivers only after they acquire experience and develop or improve safe driving skills in controlled conditions. 1993, c. 40, s. 1.No one has the right to drive. It is a privilege and one that if you don't comply with or abide by the rules and regulations, that privilege is taken away from you.
Back to the impoundments...
The legislation doesn't say the vehicle of the driver...it says the vehicle that is being used by the driver.
So parents...are you willing to part with your car for seven days because of the behaviour choices of your children? This is something that you really need to discuss with them so that they understand the importance of good choices.
Friends...are you willing to lose your car for seven days because you loaned it to a friend? Make sure they have a licence, they aren't required to have an ignition interlock device and they aren't going to be drinking.
These are just a few of things that you have to consider. Also, the bill for the towing and impoundment doesn't go in the name of the driver...it's in the name of the registered owner of the vehicle.
Hope this help to educate a few people.
Remember, RIDE is out there all this month.
