New Laws Targeting Young Drivers Passed, Won’t Be In Effect For Another Year
Posted April 21, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
New laws targeting young drivers have passed their third reading at Queen’s Park, but the legislation won’t be in effect for another year.
The Road Safety Act, 2009, increases penalties for drinking and suspended drivers and gives police better enforcement tools.
The new rules include:
- Requiring a zero blood alcohol concentration level for all drivers 21 years of age and younger
- Higher fines for serious Highway Traffic Act offences, such as running a red light, failing to stop for an emergency vehicle and failing to remain at the scene of a collision
- Immediate, seven-day impoundment of vehicles driven by drunk or suspended drivers
- Those who continue to drive without an ignition interlock when one is required would also be subject to an immediate seven-day vehicle impoundment
- A proposal to increase the length of time that new drivers spend in the Graduated Licensing System to get a driver’s licence, up to 36 months.
When it was first announced, the legislation provoked a maelstrom of protest on Facebook.
Premier Dalton McGuinty joked that even his kids objected to some of the clauses.
A portion of the bill concerning the number of passengers allowed in the vehicle was dropped.
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