If you’re driving a vehicle, you need to have valid insurance.
That’s the message from Coquitlam Mounties who, since the start of the year, have handed out 24 violation tickets across its jurisdiction to drivers without vehicle insurance.
That’s more than double when compared to all of January 2023.
Spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins said officers have seen a steady uptick in the number of drivers on the road without insurance.
“When our officers stop vehicles for no insurance, drivers are often saying that they forgot or didn’t realize because they don’t have the decal reminder on their vehicle anymore,” added Staff Sgt. Mark McCutcheon, Coquitlam RCMP’s Traffic Services Commander, said in a news release.
“We strongly encourage drivers to ensure that their vehicles are properly insured before travelling.”
ICBC discontinued the licence plate decals on May 1, 2022.
Drivers without the proper insurance face a $598 violation ticket and risk having their vehicle impounded.
As well, Hodgins said, uninsured drivers who are involved in a collision could be sued or be held liable for damages.
Here’s how much you’ll be fined under the Motor Vehicle Act for other driving-related offences:
- $81 = fail to produce driver’s licence
- $81 = file to produce insurance
- $109 = no vehicle licence
- $109 = no number plate
- $109 = wrong number plate
- $109 = driving contrary to licence restriction
- $109 = fail to change address
- $276 = no driver’s licence
The Coquitlam RCMP warning comes as Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth, B.C.’s Solicitor General and public safety minister, is looking to close a loophole that allows prohibited drivers to buy vehicle insurance in their name through ICBC, the public auto insurer.
