Page 77 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual

chapter 3 — basic driving skills

Non-GLP drivers, including commercial drivers, are permitted to use hands-
free cellphones and devices that only require touching a single button to
activate or deactivate, and where that single button is located in a fixed
and secure location. This includes pre-programmed or voice-activated GPS
devices. Two-way radios and mobile data terminals are also permitted.
Even if you need to make or receive a hands-free call, it’s safer to pull over to
the side of the road as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Impairment
fast fact

B.C. has tough drinking
and driving laws. Penalties
can add up to $600 to over
$4,000 — even if it’s the first
time you’re caught — and
more time off the road.
For more information on
B.C.’s impaired driving
laws, go to icbc.com, the
RoadSafetyBC website and
the Justice Laws Website.

As a professional driver, your life and the lives of others depend on your
fast fact ability to remain alert and fully functioning when you’re behind the wheel.
Alcohol, illicit drugs (for example, marijuana and cocaine), and even some
If you’re convicted of prescribed drugs or stay-awake tablets can reduce (impair) your ability to
impaired driving and you function safely.
caused a crash, the cost of
your vehicle insurance will You risk a lot by driving impaired. There are penalties under British Columbia’s
increase. In addition, ICBC Motor Vehicle Act and under the Criminal Code of Canada. More immediate
will not pay to repair or and severe penalties apply if:
replace the vehicle. ICBC can
also recover from you all costs • you drive with a certain amount of alcohol or drugs in your system, or
associated with the crash,
including any victim’s claim. • you refuse to provide a breath sample.
As well, the penalties become more severe for repeat offences.
Note: You may be prohibited if a police officer considers your ability to drive to
be affected by alcohol or drugs. You don’t have to have a BAC level of over .08
or a BDC of 2 nanograms or more THC.

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