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Oct 06, 03
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New N rules in affect as of yesterday..
Solicitor-General Rich Coleman introduced tough new modifications to B.C.'s Graduated Licensing Program yesterday, but for Gary McBride and Mike Marshall the changes came 19 months too late.
While McBride and Marshall -- whose sons Spencer and Reece were two of four boys killed in a spring-break crash in Delta in March of 2002 -- welcomed yesterday's long-awaited changes to the GLP, they also lamented the fact that if the program had more teeth when it was introduced in 1998 the accident in which their sons perished may never have happened. "I believe if the previous [provincial NDP] government had instituted a GLP of this magnitude, my son would be alive today," Marshall, a UBC researcher, told The Province after a news conference to announce the changes at the Richmond RCMP detachment. "That crash would not have happened." Added elementary school principal McBride: "It [the new GLP] could very well have saved my son's life if there had been passenger restrictions brought in in 1998. But the government of the day chose to water down the GLP. Who knows how many kids might not have died?" Coleman spoke extensively with grieving parents like McBride and Marshall in finalizing the changes to the GLP, making it among the toughest programs for new drivers in Canada. "The fatality rate for teenage drivers is too high," Coleman said, adding that new drivers, who make up seven per cent of the driving population, are involved in 16 per cent of fatal or serious accidents. "These changes are going to save lives and reduce injuries." The changes, effective tomorrow, affect both learner's and novice drivers of vehicles and motorcycles, making it tougher and lengthening the time it takes to reach full-licence status. Under the current graduated licensing program it takes drivers two years to get full driving privileges, but under the new GLP it will take three years. Coleman estimated the modifications will reduce the number of crashes involving new drivers by 15,000 over the next three years, with 3,500 fewer crashes involving fatalities or injuries. Coleman said reducing the number of passengers allowed in a car with a new driver is a key part of the program. Research shows the accident risk for new drivers increases by 45 per cent with one passenger, 100 per cent with two and 200 per cent with three or more. Car accidents are the most common cause of death for young people in B.C., with road crashes accounting for more than one-third of deaths of people who die aged 13 to 21. Chris Ng, whose son, Const. Jimmy Ng, 31, was killed when a street racer hit his RCMP cruiser on Sept. 14, 2002, welcomed the changes. "It's a very good step forward," said Ng, a UBC researcher. "We wish all the young people could see the consequences and now, if you make mistakes and get a suspension, you go back to the beginning." ICBC chair and president Nick Geer called the new program "the best licensing program in North America -- bar none," adding that 260,000 letters will be mailed to new drivers this week explaining the changes. shunter@png.canwest.com THE CHANGES Effective tomorrow, the changes to the Graduated Licensing Program include: n Increasing the learner stage from the current six months to one year and raising the minimum age for a driving supervisor from 19 to 25. Reason: Allows new driver to obtain additional driving experience and practise in all seasons. Raising the age of the driving supervisor will ensure he/she is outside the driver's peer group. Alberta has implemented a similar program. n Increasing the novice stage from 18 months to 24 months with a provision that the novice driver be prohibition-free for 24 consecutive months. Novice drivers who receive prohibitions now will lose their accumulated driving experience and will be required to start the novice stage again. Reason: Allows novice driver to get more driving experience before being able to take a Class 5 or 6 road test. Combats street racing. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland report that a "consecutive prohibition-free" novice stage results in fewer suspensions, prohibitions and traffic tickets. n Restricting novice drivers to carrying one passenger unless accompanied by a supervisor aged 25 or over or the passengers are members of the driver's immediate family. Reason: Research shows a higher crash risk and higher fatality rate when teenage drivers carry teenage passengers. Manitoba and the Yukon have similar successful programs. http://www.canada.com/vancouver/stor...D-75EA512AFA35 
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Oct 06, 03
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so if ive had my n for like 3 years i cant drive anyone around? thats bs. i need to finally take my full exam.. :soak:
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Oct 06, 03
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One thing I don't get is those who obtained their licence before October 2003 still have a carrying passenger restriction... http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/lic_getlic_undglpe.html Last edited by Asteroid; Oct 06, 03 at 03:49 AM.
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Oct 06, 03
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Oct 06, 03
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Oct 06, 03
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Shity dealio
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Oct 06, 03
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why dont they just disallow driving altogether for the general public? then everytone wil have to bus and we'll end the problem. wait, what if the bus drivers start gettin distracted because of all their passenger and start crashing, then what? ban buses as well?
this is fucking stupid. its the retard kids' fault that they got into an accident and died, not because there werent "strict" rules. if theyre stupid enough to drive the way they do, then its their own fault.
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