Effective Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, drivers engaging in reckless driving, such as impaired driving, excessive speeding, street racing or driving without a licence, will face significantly higher fees for towing and storing their impounded vehicles.
“Too many lives have been lost due to reckless and dangerous driving, particularly this summer,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We’re making it clear that if you endanger others on our roads, you will face serious criminal and financial consequences.”
The adjustments include a flat-rate towing fee increase of 38% to $110, and a storage fee increase of up to 96%, up to $40 per day. Province said these increased fees will send a strong message that dangerous driving will not be tolerated on B.C.’s roads.
Changes to vehicle impoundment rates:
Flat towing rate is rising from $79.78 to $110.
Per-kilometre towing rate is rising from $2.41 to $3.32.
Storage Zone 1 rate is rising from $23.98 to $40.
Storage Zone 2 rate is rising from $22.89 to $38.18.
Storage Zone 3 rate is rising from $20.71 to $38.18.
Storage Zone 4 rate is rising from $16.35 to $32.
Dolly fee is rising from $35 to $40.
Standby, recovery, cleanup, additional services, loading and securing fee is rising from $75.58 to $110.
In British Columbia, police impound approximately 30,000 vehicles per year. Impoundment periods range from three to 60 days.
In 2023, there were 331 motor-vehicle-related deaths, with 110 of those deaths occurring between July and September of that year. From 2013 until 2021, one-third of deaths resulted from motor-vehicle incidents involving drugs and/or alcohol.
