THUNDER BAY - In an effort to make Ontario roads safer, the provincial government is introducing new legislation that will increase penalties for dangerous driving while also protecting those who work on or near roads.
On Monday, the provincial government introduced the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act.
The new legislation is meant to crack down on unsafe and stunt driving practices, which have increased by more than 50 per cent since the start of the pandemic despite fewer cars being on the road.
Under the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, roadside vehicle impoundment will be increased from seven to 14 days, driver’s license suspensions will increase from seven to 30 days.
There is also new escalations of post-conviction license suspensions from a minimum of one to three years for a first offence, three to 10 years for a second offence, a lifetime suspension for a third offence with the possibility of it being reduced under certain criteria, and a lifetime suspension for a fourth offence with no possibility of reduction.
“Both as Minister of Transportation and a parent to driving-aged teens, I am extremely concerned by the rising numbers of young drivers in Ontario caught stunt driving, street racing and driving aggressively,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
“By increasing driver’s licence suspensions and vehicle impoundment periods, the MOMS Act sends a clear message to drivers – driving is a privilege and those who threaten the safety of others have no place on our roads.”
The threshold for laying stunt or street racing charges has also been lowered from travelling 40 kilometres per hour over the posted speed limit on roads with a speed limit under 80 kilometres per hour.
A default speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour on a highway not within a local municipality or built-up area or unrecognized territory will also be established.
Stunt and street racing penalties will also apply to locations other than highways, such as parking lots and any driver convicted of stunt or street racing will be required to complete a driver’s safety course before their license is reinstated.
“Stunt driving and street racing are serious threats that have posed a greater risk to our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “The increased penalties and sanctions proposed under the MOMS Act, along with the creation of the new Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, will ensure police services across the province have the tools they need to combat high-risk driving on Ontario’s roads.”
The legislation would also protect vulnerable people and workers on or near roads, such as pedestrians and highway workers.
It includes the creation of the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, which would require tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators to be certified, and set new standards for customer protection and roadside behaviours, including penalties for non-compliance.
