Episode 417: Class Action Delays, Dangerous Driving Acquittal, and Court Backlogs

This week on Driving Law, Kyla Lee and Paul Doroshenko dissect three important developments in driving law and public accountability in BC. They begin with a major delay in the ICBC double billing class action, where a technical objection from the provincial government—challenging the scope of the claim based on how “medical practitioners” was defined—has thrown the case off course. Kyla and Paul criticize the government’s interference, noting how procedural nitpicking is undermining access to justice and stalling compensation for affected individuals. Next, breaking news hits mid-recording: the BC Court of Appeal has released a decision upholding an acquittal in a red-light fatality case involving a dangerous driving charge. Paul and Kyla unpack how the Court’s ruling reaffirms that a momentary lapse in attention—without more—is not enough to meet the legal standard for dangerous driving. The decision marks an important pushback against the expanding scope of criminal liability in driving cases. Finally, the Ridiculous Driver of the Week is a junk removal employee caught on camera illegally dumping hazardous waste in the woods—a repeat offence in the Lower Mainland. While the company has since fired the employee, Paul and Kyla reflect on what this says about trust, accountability, and regulation in private services. Check out the 'Lawyer Told Me Not To Talk To You' T-shirts and hoodies at Lawyertoldme.com and 'Sit Still Jackson' at sitstilljackson.com