B.C. appeal court dismisses challenge against tough drunk-driving laws

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s appeal court has dismissed a legal challenge against the province’s strict drunk-driving laws.

They allow police to impose immediate roadside penalties, including fines and fees, driving bans and seizure of a vehicle.

The court released the judgment after several people who received roadside prohibitions argued the law is unconstitutional.

The BC Civil Liberties Association told the appeal court earlier that the laws violate the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Attorney General Suzanne Anton has said the three-year-old law has saved almost 200 lives.

The provincial government was forced to amend the laws two years ago when a B.C. Supreme Court judge struck down parts of the legislation as unconstitutional.