Interlock class action

We can confirm that we intend to proceed with an interlock class action lawsuit. For over a year we have been collecting the evidence and doing the legal work necessary to begin an action against the BC Government for people who were wrongly forced to have an interlock and go through the Responsible Driver Program. The Government has acknowledged that they were not following the law. There was no review process and the two programs, IIP and RDP, were made mandatory.

We intend to begin three separate lawsuits to deal with the three groups or classes of plaintiffs. We have a civil litigation team putting together the pleadings.

The first interlock class action group: Those who have completed

The first action will be comprised of the people who have completed both of the programs. If you have completed both the one-year term with the interlock and the Responsible Driver Program course, we believe that you should be entitled to compensation for the costs of the programs, your inconvenience and other damages.

The second group: Those who have been without a license and never started or paid for the programs

A great number of people didn’t pay for the interlock or RDP because they simply couldn’t afford it or because they didn’t own a car into which they could install an interlock. People lost their jobs and careers, suffered humiliation and had their lives set back years. The damages may vary greatly from person to person but the essential wrong perpetrated by the Government is the same. Again, there was no review process, the IIP and RDP were mandatory. We have the evidence and we believe that we can make the case for damages for this group.

The third interlock class action group: Those part way through the programs

If you are part way through the IIP, that is you have an interlock in your vehicle right now, it is essential that you make your application to the OSMV immediately for reconsideration of a referral to remedial programs. You must mitigate the damage that was caused by the Government’s mistake. They have created a review process that will very likely result in the interlock requirement being lifted if you properly submit your application. The Government knows that it may save them money down the road if they act fast, and they also know that you may be punished by the court in any future judgment if you simply drift along without attempting to get some relief through their new review process.

You can get us to make your application, or another law firm or you can do it yourself. The important thing, however, is that you get on it right away. You can read more about the steps we’re taking for people who currently have an interlock in Monday’s blog post.

One important thing: Your driving record

If your 5-year driving record shows any alcohol or drug related notation aside from your one IRP or ADP, such as a previous IRP or ADP driving prohibition, a 24-hour prohibition of any sort or a criminal conviction for impaired driving, driving over .08 or any similar conviction, in our view you will be exempt from any class and exempt from any remedy that may result from the interlock class action lawsuits we’re advancing. Simply put, this would justify a referral to the IIP and RDP in any event, even though it was automatic.

How to sign up – how to get involved with the interlock class action

We will begin registering members of the class within the next few days. In a few days we will explain here on our blog the steps you need to take if you wish to be a member of the class action and how to sign up. We will begin accepting clients for the first group shortly, followed by the next groups very quickly after that.

Thanks again for following our blog and supporting our efforts. It has been our quest to expose the problems with the IRP law and to secure justice for our clients and the people of BC.