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skidmark
09-11-2010, 06:17 PM
In 1977 BC established the limit of 50 mg% as the provincial limit on Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for drivers. When tested with an approved screening device drivers with a BAC over this limit received a 24 hour roadside prohibition. Relatively recently, this prohibition also included a 24 hour vehicle impoundment to go along with the prohibition.

Effective on September 20, 2010 the prohibition dealt to drivers with a BAC between 50 and 80 mg% (known as a warn) will change significantly. When tested with an approved screening device at roadside a driver who provides a breath sample that is analyzed as a warn will face a minimum 3 day driving prohibition, an administrative penalty of $200, a driver's license reinstatement fee of $250, a 3 day vehicle impound and the associated towing and storage fees.

In the case of a driver whose driving record already contains a single prohibition within the past 5 years, the prohibition and impoundment periods rise to 7 days. The administrative penalty will increase to $300 and the driver will be required to participate in the ignition interlock program for one year at a cost of $1,730.

Should the driver have 2 or more previous prohibitions within the previous 5 year period, prohibition and impoundment rise to 30 days. The administrative penalty will increase to $400 and the driver will be required to participate in the Responsible Driver Program at a cost of $880.

In both of the latter cases the $250 driver's license reinstatement fee and the towing and storage charges will apply as well.

Reference Links (http://www.drivesmartbc.ca/impaired-driving/driving-bac-between-50-and-80-mg)

rage2
09-11-2010, 06:53 PM
Glad I don't live in BC. One glass of wine at dinner would register a warn. Which really isn't a warn, when you lose your car and license for 3 days. No thanks.

I don't get these low limits. Why don't they just do no tolerance instead? If you drive don't even touch a drop of alcohol within a 24 hour period. 0.05 just encourages a drink at dinner which has a good chance of registering a warn. It's just stupid.

skidmark
09-11-2010, 07:59 PM
I agree, if it were zero, then you would know exactly where you stand. However, unless you are a small person, one standard drink (1.5 oz hard liquor = 5 oz wine = 1 bottle of beer = 14 grams of ethyl alcohol) will not put you over 0.05.

Blood Alcohol Level Calculator (http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/blood-alcohol-calculator)