Sunday November 30, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated December 1, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Reckless driving injures people and takes lives.
This past week, BC NDP MLA Dana Lajeunesse introduced a private members bill that addresses reckless driving.
This comes after a tragic incident impacting one local family but of course the problem of reckless driving (whether due to alcohol or other reasons) is nation-wide.
Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have been lobbying on issues like this for years, so it’s interesting that the come-forward efforts of one family have gained such significant traction.
Public education about alcoholism and how it often impairs a person’s ability to comprehend the consequences of their actions is still generally ineffective in reaching those who end up perpetrating vehicle crashes while under the influence.
It is illegal in Canada for a driver to operate a vehicle if impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent are considered impaired under the Criminal Code and subject to potential charges.
Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No.2), 2025:
Juan de Fuca–Malahat MLA Dana Lajeunesse (who is the Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility) on November 26 introduced Private Members’ Bill 226 — Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No.2), 2025, known as Xavier’s Law and was given first reading.
Second reading debate will take place on Monday December 1.
Juan de Fuca-Malahat [Nov 18, 2025 / Hansard livestream]
Bill 226 may get passed at second reading on Monday, but if not will be included in the Spring season in February or March 2026.
New tools:
Xavier’s law will provide new tools to remove dangerous drivers from the road and prevent future tragedies.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe using our roads,” said Lajeunesse.
Xavier’s Law would change BC’s driving laws so that drivers who are accused of dangerous and reckless driving would have their driving licence revoked until they go to trial, and would impose lifetime driving bans on those convicted of extreme dangerous driving.
30-day driving prohibition:
If passed, the bill will create a 30-day driving prohibition for reckless driving and require police to report every reckless driving incident to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
That would allow for patterns of dangerous behaviour to be identified and addressed to help prevent tragedies.
Naming of the bill:
The bill is named in honour of Xavier Rasul-Jankovics, a young boy from Lajeunesse’s community who was killed by a reckless driver earlier this year. His family’s advocacy has inspired this legislation and its focus on prevention.
“Xavier’s family have shown tremendous courage and determination. This bill ensures their advocacy leads to positive change and helps prevent other families from experiencing such senseless tragedies,” says Lajeunesse.
Defining ‘reckless driving’:
The bill clearly defines “reckless driving” to guide police in identifying and reporting incidents that meet the threshold for the 30-day prohibition. The definition includes behaviours such as extreme speeding, deliberate loss of control, and racing.
“As a family, we’ve been touched by the community’s care and concerns after our son Xavier was killed by a dangerous driver three months ago,” said Zahra Rasul and Josh Jankovics, Xavier’s parents.
Xavier Rasul-Jankovics at age 12 was struck and killed by a car while rollerblading with his family on a rural road near their home in Cobble Hill on August 25.
“We are grateful to our MLA Dana Lajeunesse and his team, Minister Krieger, AG Sharma, and Premier Eby for their quick action. With this important step of this bill being brought forward, we know our concerns have been heard and these laws will help ensure our tragedy is never repeated. Nothing will bring Xavier back, but we hope this step will protect other families from experiencing the heartbreak of losing a beloved and innocent child,” say Xavier’s parents.
Xavier’s parents met with BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger, Attorney General Niki Sharma, Assistant Deputy Minister and Superintendent of Motor Vehicles Toby Louie, and Juan de Fuca-Malahat MLA Dana Lajeunesse in the legislature on October 23.
Public input:
Xavier’s Law stands as a commitment to safer roads and to do everything possible to ensure that no other family must endure a loss like Xavier’s.
As the bill moves forward, members of the public and stakeholders will have an opportunity to share their perspectives and strengthen this important legislation.
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NEWS SECTIONS: ROAD CRASHES & INJURIES | 43rd PARLIAMENT of BC