Hit & Run

Motor Vehicle Act

In British Columbia, the driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle that is, directly or indirectly, involved in an accident on a highway must do all of the following: (a) remain at or immediately return to the scene of the accident; (b) render all reasonable assistance; (c) produce in writing to any other driver involved in the accident and to anyone sustaining loss or injury, and, on request, to a witness (i) his or her name and address, (ii) the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, (iii) the licence number of the vehicle, and (iv) particulars of the motor vehicle liability insurance card or financial responsibility card for that vehicle, or such of that information as is requested.

In addition, the driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle that collides with an unattended vehicle must stop and must (a) locate and notify in writing the person in charge of or the owner of the unattended vehicle of (i) the name and address of the driver, operator or other person in charge, (ii) the name and address of the registered owner, and (iii) the licence plate number of the vehicle that struck the unattended vehicle, or (b) leave in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle collided with a notice in writing giving the above stated information.

Similarly, the driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property on or adjacent to a highway, other than an unattended vehicle, must take reasonable steps to locate and notify in writing the owner or person in charge of the property of the fact of the accident and of the following: (a) the name and address of the driver, operator or other person in charge of the vehicle; (b) the name and address of the registered owner; (c) the licence number of the vehicle.

A person who fails to the above noted duties is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or to both.

Criminal Code

In Canada, every person commits an offence who has the care, charge or control of a vehicle that is involved in an accident with another person or vehicle and with intent to escape civil or criminal liability fails to stop and give his or her name and address and, where any person has been injured or appears to require assistance, offer assistance.

If convicted summarily, a driver who failed to stop is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or to both. By indictment, a driver is liable to a maximum of 5 years in jail. In both cases, a driver who failed to stop is subject to a discretionary driving prohibition up to 3 years.

In circumstances where a driver failed to stop at the scene of an accident knowing that bodily harm was caused, the driver is liable to a maximum of 10 years in jail and discretionary driving prohibition up to 5 years. If a driver has failed to stop at the scene of an accident knowing or reckless as to whether a person is dead, the driver is liable to life imprisonment and discretionary driving prohibition up to life.