Still no ride-hailing in BC as the holiday CounterAttack season kicks off
Posted December 2, 2017 9:21 am.
Last Updated December 3, 2017 7:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Just in time for holiday season, we are marking the start of the 40th year of CounterAttack in BC.
“CounterAttack, along with tough penalties and education has impacted positively on driver behaviour. But the fact remains that people are still dying on BC roads because of impaired driving — either drugs or alcohol. One life is too many and the police will be out in force this holiday season to protect everyone using our roadways,” says Chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee Neil Dubord.
Police across the Lower Mainland will be stepping up enforcement this month, taking part in the annual impaired driving campaign.
ICBC‘s Aileen Shibata says despite the rainy weather, it’s the time of year when people like to go out and celebrate but that comes with a stern warning. “Crashes spike during the winter months and we’re just trying to get out ahead of people out celebrating with friends and family or at work parties, for example.”
She adds dozens of people die each year in BC because of impaired driving — something that can be avoided by not getting behind the wheel. “If your festivities include alcohol, plan ahead to make sure you have a safe ride home.”
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Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of deadly crashes on local roads, but she admits that doesn’t mean drunk driving isn’t still an issue. “Impaired driving fatalities are on a downward trend but sadly, there are still 65 people killed each year due to impaired driving. It’s still an issue and we’re trying to urge everybody to make that plan before they go out as to how they’re going to get home. There’s no excuse to drink and drive these days. There are lots of ways to get home, such as taking transit, calling a taxi, using a designated driver or just staying overnight.”
Many people were hoping ride-hailing apps, like Uber or Lyft, would have been implemented in BC in time for the holidays, but that’s not happening.
Earlier this fall, the BC NDP government back-tracked on its promise to do just that, adding instead, the transportation minister would be reviewing the idea instead. Claire Trevana said there would be no ride-hailing in BC, until the expert review is completed — which isn’t expected until early 2018.
Before May’s historic election, the New Democrats had promised to bring ride-hailing services to the province by the end of 2017, but Trevena suggests that may not happen any time before the spring.
Uber Canada has said it is “seeking clarification to see how soon they can legally operate in BC.
