Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2014
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Antonella Artuso
Page: 3

STONERS FACE HEAVY PENALTY

Province to target high drivers

Ontario drivers who get behind the wheel stoned would pay a high price
under provincial legislation introduced Tuesday.

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca has amended the government's
distracted driving bill to include new penalties for drug-impaired
drivers.

As in drunk driving, motorists under the influence of drugs would be
subject to escalating roadside suspensions, mandatory education or
treatment, an ignition interlock condition and a sevenday vehicle
impoundment.

"Ontario's one of only three jurisdictions in Canada that currently
has no sanctions whatsoever for somebody who is driving under the
influence of drugs," Del Duca said.

"And when you look at the statistics, in 2011 for example, somewhere
in the neighbourhood of 46% of all collisions involving vehicles that
resulted in deaths had individuals who were either under the influence
of drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol."

A spokesman from the minister's office said a roadside sobriety test
would likely be involved in determining if a driver is drug-impaired,
and work is being done by police officials to obtain a device for
measuring that level of impairment.

The bill addresses the problem of distracted driving by adding three
demerit points to the licence of anyone caught driving while using a
handheld device such as a cellphone.

The fines for distracted driving would also jump significantly to a
minimum of $300 from the current $60, and a maximum of $1,000 from
$500.

If the bill passes, which is likely to happen given Premier Kathleen
Wynne's majority, drivers will be required to keep a distance of one
metre when passing cyclists where possible.

The government is planning tougher penalties for drivers who open
their vehicle door into the path of a cyclist, known as "dooring."
Drivers convicted of this offence will face a fine ranging from $300
to $1,000, up from the current $60 to $500, and the addition of three
demerit points.

"We have to make sure that motorists and cyclists understand exactly
how to share the road," Del Duca said.

Drivers would also have to wait for pedestrians to completely clear
crosswalks.

The bill would expand licence plate denial to drivers who do not pay
their Provincial Offences Act fines for speeding, improper lane
changes, illegal turns and similar offences.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the government seems to be a little
distracted itself.

At the same time the government is introducing distracted driver
legislation, its agency, Metrolinx, is proposing eight electronic
billboards along Hwys. 401 and 427, she said.

"You can't suck and blow at the same time," Horwath said. "If you're
concerned about distracted driving, then tell Metrolinx not to put up
big billboards that are going to distract drivers."

Del Duca said he thinks the whole issue of billboards and signage on
highways needs to be reviewed.
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MAP posted-by: Matt