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Proposed new penalties for careless and distracted driving in Ontario

TORONTO — Ontario is proposing legislation to introduce harsher penalties for careless and distracted driving. Here is a summary of the changes:

September 21, 2017  By The Canadian Press


Currently, a careless driving conviction carries jail time of up to six months, fines of up to $2,000, a licence suspension of up to two years and six demerit points. The legislation would create a new offence for careless driving causing death, with penalties of:

• jail time of up to two years,

• a fine of up to $50,000,

• a licence suspension of up to five years,

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• six demerit points.

Currently, distracted drivers face a fine of between $300 and $1,000 and three demerit points. The legislation would boost the penalties to:

• a fine of between $500 and $1,000, three demerit points and a licence suspension of three days on first conviction;

• a fine of between $500 and $2,000, six demerit points and a licence suspension of seven days on second conviction;

• a fine of between $500 and $3,000, six demerit points and a licence suspension of 30 days on third and subsequent convictions.

Currently, drivers who don’t yield to pedestrians are subject to a fine of between $150 and $500, and three demerit points. The legislation would boost the penalties to:

• a fine of between $300 and $1,000, and four demerit points on first conviction;

• a fine of between $500 and $1,000, and four demerit points on subsequent convictions.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. 2017


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