Rules for young drivers expected to improve safety on the road

The provincial government is planning to increase restrictions on young drivers, in the interest of enhancing safety.

While there's plenty of agreement with the aim of the measures proposed, Dufferin — Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones is not sold that they're going about it the right way.

The government announced last week it was proposing tough new legislation, which would include changes to Ontario's graduated licensing system.

It would take a new driver up to 36 months to get a driver's licence, giving them better skills and experience to drive safely.

The proposed changes also include a zero blood alcohol concentration level for all drivers 21 years of age and younger; tougher penalties for novice drivers that increase with each violation of graduated licensing restrictions, with convictions that result in demerit points or with court-ordered suspensions; and tighter restrictions on the number of young passengers teen drivers can carry.

Other changes proposed in the bill would help keep suspended drivers off Ontario's roads by giving police the power to immediately impound their vehicles for seven days at the roadside.

Convicted drunk drivers and those who continue to drive without a court-ordered ignition lock would also be subject to an immediate sevenday roadside impoundment.

"Teenaged drivers are about 3.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision," commented Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.

"Lengthening their training period will give young and novice drivers more time to develop a lifetime of safe driving habits."

"We support Ontario's proposed legislation and regulations," said Andrew Murie, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, "A longer graduated licensing period for new drivers and a nodrinking policy for all drivers 21 years of age and under would help keep young drivers from drinking and driving and give new drivers the experience they need."

"There are parts of it I have absolutely no problem with," Jones commented, citing the number of accidents involving young people and alcohol. "As with everything, there's some good and there's some not-sogood."

Restricting young people in their ability to car pool when they travel to jobs or to university, she thought was going too far.

"We've done a very good job about educating young people about getting a designated driver," she argued. "I'm not sure this has been thought through very well."