BC high school graduates are anywhere from 16 to 18 years old, which is under the legal drinking age [19 years] in British Columbia. The legal drinking age in British Columbia covers the purchase and possession of alcohol. Basically, under the terms of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, teenagers under the age of 19 cannot legally consume alcohol. In theory, therefore, while drinking and driving should not be an issue for grad celebrations, in reality, it is. There is a long and sad history of horrible and sometimes fatal grad-related accidents around this time of the year.

 

Safeguard approaches have developed. Parent groups have organized both “safe grad” and “dry grad” parties. At “Safe Grad” parties, transportation is arranged for all attendees and parents act as supervisors. “Dry Grad” parties, by definition, are alcohol free. 

 

The British Columbia Government through its Liquor Stores promotes alcohol-free or “dry” grads in a campaign of customer donations that runs from February 1^st to March 13^th. Check the government website in that regard.

 

For many years the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) has sponsored Dry Grad celebrations across B.C by donating a complimentary membership to up to 100 secondary schools holding Dry Grad celebrations attended by at least 50 per cent of the school's graduating students. The membership can be used as a gift, door prize or auction item. Since the program began in 1991, BCAA has had strong participation in the program by schools all over BC.

 

An Internet search for “prom limousine” reveals another approach to transportation that has become almost a customary part of the graduation experience. Not just restricted to the wealthy individuals, limousines also make their money at graduation time by crowding in large groups of teenagers with $10 each. (Public transportation is apparently inconsistent with the celebratory mood of the occasion, although there is probably no good reason why an enthusiastic group of people cannot be happy on a bus.)

 

Everyone knows that driving while intoxicated is a crime. It is also a breach of the liability insurance coverage provided by ICBC. Not only that, anyone allowing their vehicle to be used by an obviously intoxicated person, is also in breach. This means that if the driver causes a crash, the owner and the driver will both be fully exposed to a claim for repayment of the damages, once ICBC has dealt with the claim. This scenario could lead to financial ruin for a parent who does not exercise reasonable control over the use of a vehicle.