Province targets impaired drivers, car thieves with tougher penalties

May Be Interested In:The Philippine Mars took its final flight. See photos of the flying-boat aircraft from WWII to its last 800-mile journey.


Article content

Getting busted for driving drunk or stoned on drugs will result in tougher penalties this year.

The Safer Roads and Communities Act, which became law in November, stipulates that any motorist who causes the death of another person while impaired behind the wheel faces an indefinite licence revocation. The law also escalates suspensions for convicted auto thieves, and contains provisions which would allow a court to prohibit drivers from having any drugs or alcohol in their systems.

Article content

The new law, said Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, will improve safety on Ontario’s streets.

“It would improve safety and protect families and communities by targeting road users who engage in dangerous behaviour, including impaired driving and stunt driving, as well as those convicted of auto theft,” Sarkaria said in the legislature after tabling the bill.

Drivers convicted of auto theft who either threaten or use violence in the commission of their crime — or steal cars under the direction of a criminal organization — will see their licences revoked for a minimum of 10 years for their first offence.

Subsequent convictions will increase that term to 15 years, with further convictions seeing offenders lose their licences indefinitely.

Drivers caught with blood alcohol concentrations between 0.05 to 0.08 will see administrative licence suspensions increased from three days to seven days for a first offence, with repeat offenders subject to a 14-day suspension — up from the previous penalty of seven days.

The new law also adds provisions to the Highway Traffic Act which allows a court to impose a licence condition that drivers have no trace of alcohol or drugs in their bodies.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

In addition, the bill will grant new powers to MTO enforcement officers, allowing them to exceed speed limits to perform traffic stops as part of their enforcement duties, as well as commence a review of the province’s commercial driver training program.

[email protected]

X:

@bryanpassifiume

Recommended from Editorial

Share this article in your social network

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Saquon’s Record Chase, Ravens’ Playoff Push, and Shocking 2025 Sports Predictions | McCoy & Van Noy
Saquon’s Record Chase, Ravens’ Playoff Push, and Shocking 2025 Sports Predictions | McCoy & Van Noy
Meghan ¿didn¿t think twice¿ about delaying the eight-part series until March, reported People
Meghan and Harry’s final blow to the frail Queen. Friends of the royals disclose most disrespectful thing they did – and tell me of their profound scepticism: RICHARD EDEN
‘Material that incites extreme violence needs to be taken off the internet’, says former prisoner governor
‘Material that incites extreme violence needs to be taken off the internet’, says former prisoner governor
Community desperate for investment welcomes $30m 'game changer'
Community desperate for investment welcomes $30m ‘game changer’
Eden of Sounds Festival 2024: Find Dates, Tickets, Lineup
Eden of Sounds Festival 2024: Find Dates, Tickets, Lineup
Scammers hire models to fool Americans
Scammers hire models to fool Americans
Uncovering the Untold: Where the Real Stories Lie | © 2025 | Daily News