Ontario proposes new driving legislation
Amanda Roth
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: News
A few weeks ago, the McGuinty Government of Ontario proposed tough new driving legislation with the intention of making the province's roads safer for Ontario drivers.
The proposed changes announced to Ontario's Graduated Licensing System would create a wait time of up to 36 months, from the beginning to the end of the process, for new drivers to obtain a driver's license.
This proposed change shows an increase of one year from the current wait time of approximately 24 months.
"I [think] it is a good idea." said Lindsey Sjouwerman, a 20 year-old driver and a third-year student at Brock
"How many teenagers do you see that are in car accidents that could have been prevented? Hopefully this new law prevents younger drivers from showing off and potentially hurting someone."
And that is what the Ontario government is indeed hoping for: giving young drivers better skills and experience to drive safely.
Other proposed changes include: a zero blood alcohol concentration level for those young drivers 21 years and younger, tougher penalties for novice drivers and tighter restrictions on the number of passengers a young driver can carry.
The government would be replacing the current night time restriction on the number of people a G2 driver can carry with an all-day restriction.
"Teenaged drivers are about 3.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision," said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley in a press release.
"Lengthening their training period will give young and novice drivers more time to develop a lifetime of safe driving habits."
The organization of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada supports these proposed changes, as they believe it will assist in keeping young drivers from drinking and driving.
"I [think] that a lot of adults drink and drive because they grew up in a period [in which] it was okay," said Sjouwerman. "So they feel they have done it enough that it is second nature. There should be harsher punishment for all drunk drivers - not just teenagers."
The proposed changes announced to Ontario's Graduated Licensing System would create a wait time of up to 36 months, from the beginning to the end of the process, for new drivers to obtain a driver's license.
This proposed change shows an increase of one year from the current wait time of approximately 24 months.
"I [think] it is a good idea." said Lindsey Sjouwerman, a 20 year-old driver and a third-year student at Brock
"How many teenagers do you see that are in car accidents that could have been prevented? Hopefully this new law prevents younger drivers from showing off and potentially hurting someone."
And that is what the Ontario government is indeed hoping for: giving young drivers better skills and experience to drive safely.
Other proposed changes include: a zero blood alcohol concentration level for those young drivers 21 years and younger, tougher penalties for novice drivers and tighter restrictions on the number of passengers a young driver can carry.
The government would be replacing the current night time restriction on the number of people a G2 driver can carry with an all-day restriction.
"Teenaged drivers are about 3.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision," said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley in a press release.
"Lengthening their training period will give young and novice drivers more time to develop a lifetime of safe driving habits."
The organization of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada supports these proposed changes, as they believe it will assist in keeping young drivers from drinking and driving.
"I [think] that a lot of adults drink and drive because they grew up in a period [in which] it was okay," said Sjouwerman. "So they feel they have done it enough that it is second nature. There should be harsher punishment for all drunk drivers - not just teenagers."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sharon
posted 1/11/09 @ 7:49 PM EST
Why just the teens...why don't we make all licenced drivers responsible to maintain a zero alchohol level while behind the wheel. The Ontario government passed a new law regarding smoking in vehicles with children (which by the way I am all for). (Continued…)
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