There was no opposition in B.C.’s legislature as Xavier’s Law was given first reading on Nov. 26.
The private members bill, which was introduced by the MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat Dana Lajeunesse, would toughen up the penalties for dangerous drivers in B.C. if it passes.
The move to change the driving laws comes after 12-year-old Xavier Rasul-Jankovics was struck and killed by a car while he was rollerblading with his family on a rural road near their home in Cobble Hill on Aug. 25.
Xavier’s parents Zahra Rasul and Josh Jankovics were at the legislature when Xavier’s Law received first reading, and Rasul said she was very pleased with how swiftly the law came together and was brought before the legislature.
“We’re so impressed with Dana (Lajeunesse) and the empathetic way he introduced the bill, and all the hard work that he, the premier and the government put in on this issue,” she said.
“We met Dana, the premier and senior government ministers over a period of just a few weeks after Xavier’s death and they managed to develop the new legislation and bring it before the legislature in a very short amount of time.”
Lajeunesse said that everyone deserves to feel safe using B.C.’s roads.
“Xavier’s family have shown tremendous courage and determination,” he said.
“This bill ensures their advocacy leads to positive change and helps prevent other families from experiencing such senseless tragedies.”
According to police, a northbound Honda Civic lost control, hitting Xavier just after 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 before crashing into a telephone pole.
Both occupants of the vehicle, age 17, suffered minor injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment, while Xavier died at the scene in the arms of his older brother Qais and his father.
After the incident, Rasul and Jankovics began a relentless campaign to change B.C.’s driving laws.
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.
This would ensure patterns of dangerous behaviour can be identified and addressed before tragedies occur.
Rasul said the second reading of Xavier’s Law is scheduled in the legislature for Dec. 1, and Rasul and Jankovics, their son and daughter and Rasul’s parents have been invited to attend.
She said if the bill gets second reading, the third reading could be held sometime either before or after Christmas.
“Then it would go to the committee stage where the bill’s language would be gone through and then it could go to the fourth and final reading sometime in February or March,” Rasul said.
“We’ve talked to MLAs from different parties across the province and there doesn’t seem to be any opposition to the bill becoming law. We’re very optimistic that Xavier’s Law will pass. We’re just blown away and encouraged by how well this process has gone so far.”