I had a question regarding the Designated Driver Programs that are popping up around town.
On Grey Cup Sunday I had attended a sports bar with a plan to have 3 drinks in a 6 hour time frame and drive home. Well, at half time in the game, my plan was well out the window! At this point I was told of the Designated Driver Program that the bar offers.
I signed up for the service and enjoyed the rest of the game.
After the game, it was time to go home. I was put in contact with the “designated driver” and out the door we went. I climbed into the passenger seat and he in the driver seat. We didn’t get half a block away from the bar when we were stopped by the RCMP.
The DD showed the officer his license and told him he was the DD. We were told to enjoy our evening and carry on.
Now this is where my question comes in…how am I to know, as a user of this program, that the DD has not been drinking, that his license is valid, etc….? Would I have my vehicle impounded if he was over the legal limit?
What are we to do to ensure the safe return of ourselves and our vehicles to our home?
One would hope that the volunteer DD would be properly licensed, sober and a capable driver, but people being what they are, I suppose that this is not always the case.
You as the registered owner are responsible for your vehicle whether you are driving on not. Some advocate never loaning your vehicle to anyone as outlined in this article:
Never Loan Your Vehicle to Anyone
Your vehicle could also be impounded as explained here:
Unlicensed Vehicles and Vehicle Impounds
If you are impaired and your DD is a driver in the GLP, you risk a charge of being in care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired / over 80 mg%
Investigate carefully before you let someone be a DD in your vehicle. Demand to see a driver's license and then ask if they are suspended or prohibited or if there is any other reason that the person cannot legally drive. Pay attention to the answer as you may one day want to be able to repeat it if that driver does get into trouble with your vehicle. Ask about whether they have used alcohol or any other impairing drug, legal or illegal, too.
If you are satisifed at that point, then you may choose to use the DD.
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Great to hear that you use a designated driver service. I wish that more people would.
I volunteer with Operation Red Nose in the Nanaimo area. Operation Red Nose is a designated driver service operating in the Nanaimo area from Lantzville to Ladysmith every Friday and Saturday night during the month of December including New Year's eve. It is a free service but donations are gratefully accepted. All donations go to support youth programs through PacificSport.
We driver you home in your car. Our Provincial sponsor is ICBC who provides our volunteers and clients with special insurance in the case of an accident during the course of the service. Our volunteers all sign an agreement to be well rested and sober on the day of service. Our volunteers also go through a Criminal Record Check by the RCMP (also an ORN sponsor) to ensure that they have valid drivers licence.
Operaton Red Nose operates in many other communities in BC and across Canada. I hope that everyone will use our service. I am a volunteer with Operation Red Nose and love doing it. Anyone who wants to use the service or volunteer in the Nanaimo area can call 250-755-6969. For information outside of Nanaimo go to https://www.operationnezrouge.com/en/
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