Bad Drivers To Pay More

By Corey Fischer

Oct 30, 2018 | 2:41 PM

Dangerous drivers in BC will face stiffer penalties as of Thursday.

Penalty amounts will rise 20% for the Driver Risk Premium and Driver Penalty Point Premium, which are paid to ICBC in addition to any fine for a violation.

Attorney General David Eby says it will impact drivers caught for excessive speeding, impaird driving,distrated driving and other offences.

“Reckless drivers put others at risk, and they’re contributing to the rise in crashes we’re seeing on our roads,” says Eby. “To help make our roads safer and hold people accountable, we’re bringing in higher penalties for drivers who engage in dangerous behaviour behind the wheel.”

Penalty amounts are going up by 20% effective Nov. 1, for the following programs:

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* The Driver Risk Premium (DRP) is charged annually to drivers who are convicted of dangerous driving offences such as excessive speeding, two or more distracted driving violations, impaired driving convictions, roadside suspensions or prohibitions. Drivers could pay for the same offence multiple times, as the DRP depends on a person’s driving record in the last three years.

* The Driver Penalty Point (DPP) premium is a penalty for collecting four or more points from traffic violations. The premium amount depends on the total number of points accumulated in a 12-month period.

The DRP and DPP are insurance penalties drivers must pay to ICBC in addition to the fine they must pay for the original violation. A driver will only be charged under one of the programs each year, whichever penalty is the highest.

Drivers who do not pay their DRP or DPP penalty cannot get a new driver’s licence or purchase vehicle insurance through ICBC, and will be charged 19.6% in interest after 60 days without payment. However, drivers can reduce or eliminate the penalties by surrendering their driver’s licence for some or all of their billing period.

Revenue generated from the penalties will help offset overall basic insurance premiums so that safer drivers are not paying for the risky driving decisions of others. Currently, there are about 66,000 drivers who pay one of these penalties.

The Driver Penalty Point premium currently ranges from $175 for four points to $24,000 for 50 or more points.

With the 20% increase starting Nov. 1, these penalties will go up to $210 for four points and $28,800 for 50 or more points.

by Corey Fischer