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New Legislation Will Better Protect Children And Youth
QUEEN'S PARK, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is heralding the
passage of legislation that will help improve road safety for young people,
Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar announced today.
"Although our roads are the safest in Canada, motor vehicle collisions
are still the leading cause of death and injury for children and youth. This
legislation will change that terrible statistic," Takhar said. "We know that
when child car seats are used properly, they reduce the risk of death and
injury by as much as 75 per cent."
The legislation passed today, Bill 73, An Act to Enhance the Safety of
Children and Youth on Ontario's Roads, will improve safety by:
- making booster seats mandatory
- making safety improvements to new school buses
- restricting the number of passengers that young G2 drivers can carry.
Demerit points will be applied to drivers who misuse or do not use child
car seats or booster seats. All new school buses will have new safety features
including a safety-crossing arm to prevent children from walking into the
driver's blind spot at the front of the bus. The legislation will also make
vehicle owners liable for illegally passing a stopped school bus with red
lights flashing.
To further protect youth on our roads, the number of young passengers
that young G2 drivers can carry will be limited during specific hours of the
day. These hours will be determined after further consultation. Initially, G2
drivers 19 and under can carry only one passenger. After six months, or until
the driver turns 20, up to three passengers aged 19 and under will be allowed.
These restrictions do not apply to G2 drivers accompanied by a fully licensed
driver with at least four years driving experience, or if the passengers are
family members.
"New bus safety features, booster seats and fewer distractions for young
drivers are all ways of reducing the risks on our roads and ultimately saving
lives," Takhar said.
The enabling legislation will go into effect in 2005. Some features, such
as the safety-crossing arm on new school buses, will be implemented in January
2005. Other elements will go into effect in the fall of 2005 to allow
sufficient time for public education about the new laws and for development of
appropriate regulations.
Disponible en français
www.mto.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Danna O'Brien, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158
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