On August 25, 2025 Shawnigan Lake R.C.M.P. were called to a fatal collision where 12 year old Xavier Rasul-Jankovics had been rollerblading on the road. He was struck and killed by a passing 17 year old driver travelling at high speed. After striking the child the driver then collided with a utility pole, injuring both occupants of the car. This is the start of the story that resulted in the creation of Xavier’s Law.
Private Member’s Bill M226-2025 has been proposed by M.L.A. Dana Lajeunesse and has passed first reading in the legislature. The bill would prohibit a driver for 30 days for committing a reckless act.
There is no provision for the driver to appeal the prohibition.
In plain English, reckless acts are defined as:
- Doing a wheelie
- Spinning the vehicle’s tires
- Doing doughnuts
- Driving in the oncoming lane longer than needed to pass
- Driving with a person in the trunk
- Not being in the driver’s seat while driving
- Driving 40 km/h + over the limit where the zone is less than 80 km/h
- Driving 50 km/h + over the limit where the zone is 80 km/h or more
- Driving faster than 150 km/h
- Preventing another driver from passing
- Brake checking another vehicle
- Playing chicken
- Making a left hand turn at an intersection by trying to beat oncoming traffic at a new green light
Drivers who drive while prohibited under Xavier’s Law will also be subject to the vehicle impoundment laws.
The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles
Xavier’s Law would require the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles to consider the circumstances of any prohibition issued under this law. A further prohibition under section 93 Motor Vehicle Act might be warranted.
Most private member’s bills do not get passed into law in British Columbia.
Story URL: https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/government/xaviers-law-and-reckless-driving
-- Tim Schewe Road Safety Advocate DriveSmartBC.ca
