Accused drunk drivers expected to file class action
Lawyers are predicting the B.C. government could be hit with a class action lawsuit to recover millions of dollars paid by suspected drunk drivers based on part of a law that has been declared unconstitutional.
Beginning last September, when B.C. introduced its tough new law, 15,000 drivers failed the roadside breath test and paid millions of dollars in penalties.
That includes people like Navi Tagger, who blew a fail after he was pulled over on Nov. 19. Tagger was the designated driver that night, and says he had only consumed a single beer.
His lawyer Sarah Leamon says she’s getting mixed messages from the government when it comes to getting drivers back on the road.
“It seems that there’s a great deal of inconsistency,” she said.
She agrees that drivers punished under the tough law deserve some sort of recourse.
“People should get some kind of a remedy at the very least, whether that’s having all of their money refunded to them, having their licence granted back to them or having the ignition interlock removed from their vehicle,” Leamon said.
The government hasn’t said what its position will be on refunding the fines.
More: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111215/bc_drunk_driving_class_action_111215/20111215/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
