Vancouver Impaired Driving Lawyer

Traffic Offences / Impaired and Reckless Driving / Serving and Defending You Against Driving Charges 

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Impaired driving is a serious crime that poses a significant threat to public safety. Impaired driving means operating a motor vehicle while one’s ability to do so is affected by alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs.

In 2017, police reports indicated that more than 69,000 impaired driving incidents occurred in Canada that year. Of the 69,000 incidents reported, almost 3,500 involved drug impairment. Transport Canada estimates that, on average, 1074 Canadians are killed annually in impairment-related crashes. It is the leading criminal cause of death and injury in the nation.

Offences under the criminal law

The penalties for impaired driving can range from a mandatory minimum fine to imprisonment. The penalties handed down will depend greatly on the severity of the offence. A conviction under the Criminal Code means you will have a criminal record, and the offence will remain on your driving record forever. Under criminal law, you may be charged forꓽ

  1. A blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 80 milligrams or more of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood within two hours of driving
  2. A blood-drug concentration (BDC) equal to or exceeding 2 ng of THC per ml of blood within two hours of driving
  3. A BDC of 5mg or more of GHB per litre of blood within two hours of driving
  4. A BAC of 50 mg per 100 ml of blood combined with a BDC of 2.5 ng of THC per ml of blood within two hours of driving
  5. Detectable amounts of LSD, psilocybin, psilocin, ketamine, PCP, cocaine, methamphetamine or 6-mam in your system within two hours of driving
  6. Failing to provide breath or blood samples on demand

Immediate Roadside Prohibition

In British Columbia, motorists may also face penalties under the Motor Vehicle Act. Under the act, police can impose Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP). IRP license suspensions can range from three days to 90 days.

Impaired driving lawyer in Vancouver

British Columbia has some of Canada’s strictest impaired driving laws, and penalties should not be taken lightly. If you are charged with an offence under criminal law, or if there is an appeal under IRP, you may have to go to court. With court cases, there are many technical and legal issues that require the assistance of a lawyer.

If you are searching for an impaired driving lawyer in Vancouver, contact us at the law office of Tom Doust. Our team possesses years of experience handling traffic offences, including impaired driving, and we will work hard to achieve the best outcome in your case.

If you are facing criminal charges, you need to know all of your options. Contact trial lawyer Tom Doust now to set up a free consultation to discuss the potential defences to your case.

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