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Alexa's Story

Last updated on July 24, 2024

Remembering Alexa Middelaer: A Legacy of Road Safety

In 2010, RoadSafetyBC started the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) program to make our roads safer by quickly removing drivers who are impaired by alcohol. The program aimed to reduce car crashes and lower the number of injuries and deaths caused by them. But how did this program come to be?

Alexa's Story

In 2008, a tragic crash occurred that would change road safety in BC forever. Four-year-old Alexa Middelaer was killed by an alcohol-impaired driver while petting a horse with her aunt by the roadside. This heartbreaking event spurred her family, the BC Government, and law enforcement to take action, leading to the creation of the IRP program.

Before Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, police used various forms of roadside prohibitions, including 24-Hour prohibitions and Administrative Driving Prohibitions alongside Criminal Code charges. By 2010, police were issuing over 35,000 24-Hour prohibitions and more than 8,000 Criminal Code charges annually, taking up around 30% of available provincial court time.

The impact of the program

Today, the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program stands as a cornerstone of road safety in BC. It has not only made our roads safer but also set a precedent for combating impaired driving across the country. Despite facing numerous legal challenges, the IRP program has evolved and strengthened over the years, thanks to the relentless efforts of the RoadSafetyBC team.

  • Over 200,000 prohibitions served since inception
  • More than 30,000 reviews by RoadSafetyBC Adjudicators, with ~80% upholding the prohibition
  • A 50% reduction in alcohol-related fatalities since 2010

A community effort

The success of the IRP program shows how dedicated everyone has been, from our adjudication team and appeals registry to our policy, legislation, and communications teams. Every person's work has been crucial in building and running this program.

As we reflect on these 13 years, we honor Alexa's memory and the legacy she has left behind. Her story continues to inspire us to strive for safer roads and a safer community.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in this program. Your work is meaningful and impactful, and together, we continue to make a difference.

Alexa, this one's for you.