Zero tolerance laws now in effect
Posted August 2, 2010 9:41 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario’s new laws governing drinking and driving offences took effect Sunday at midnight, making it an offence for any driver 21 or under, regardless of licence class, to have a blood alcohol level above zero.
And it was not long before police had to put the new law to use.
Only ten minutes after the law came into effect Sunday morning, a 21 year old with a novice license was charged. A second young driver was pulled over at 3 a.m. and also charged.
Under the regulations, both drivers received a 24 hour license suspension, and may face fines up to $500.
Other drivers could lose their license for up to 30 days.
Drinking and driving was a situation in another province that convinced the CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) that is was the right move in Ontario.
Anne Leonard with Arrive Alive said drunk driving is a parent’s worst nightmare.
“Recent statistics are showing the vehicle crash rate to be 79 per cent higher amongst youth 19-21 years old age.”
Police also need to target rural Ontario, where the drunk driving deaths are among the highest, said Leonard.
In the last 10 years, 235 drivers, 21 and under, were killed in drunk driving collisions in Ontario.
Laws similar to this have been implemented in Manitoba for four years, and they have reported a significant decrease in the youth death rate.
