Impound fees for dangerous drivers going up in BC
It’s going to cost you more if you’re caught driving dangerously in BC.
As of Sept. 1, vehicle impound fees are going up for those caught driving impaired, speeding excessively, street racing or people driving without a licence.
"Too many lives have been lost due to reckless and dangerous driving, particularly this summer," Public Safety minister Mike Farnworth said in a media release. "We're making it clear that if you endanger others on our roads, you will face serious consequences, both criminally and financially.”
Police officers have the power to drivers’ vehicles at the roadside.
Police impound roughly 30,000 vehicles every year in BC, and impound periods range from three to 60 days.
The harsher penalties for towing and storage of impounded vehicles is meant to act as a deterrent.
The flat-rate towing fee is going up 38% to $100 and the vehicle storage free will rise 96% to $40 per day.
The ministry provided a list of the changes to vehicle impoundment rates:
- Flat towing rate is rising from $79.78 to $110.
- Per-kilometre towing rate is rising from $2.41 to $3.32.
- Storage Zone 1 rate is rising from $23.98 to $40.
- Storage Zone 2 rate is rising from $22.89 to $38.18.
- Storage Zone 3 rate is rising from $20.71 to $38.18.
- Storage Zone 4 rate is rising from $16.35 to $32.
- Dolly fee is rising from $35 to $40.
- Standby, recovery, cleanup, additional services, loading and securing fee is rising from $75.58 to $110.
“All too often innocent people fall victim to dangerous drivers. The new rates are a welcome step toward making BC roads safer for everyone,” Penticton towing owner Taylor Kenyon said in the release.
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