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McGuinty Government Sets Tougher Standards For Driving Students and
Schools
TORONTO, April 17 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario is raising the bar for driver training with the introduction of
new curriculum standards for Beginner Driver Education
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/curriculum/index.shtml).
The Ministry of Transportation partnered with the Canadian Standards
Association (http://www.csa.ca/Default.asp?language=english), which worked
with the industry to create new curriculum requirements that reflect Ontario's
high expectations for driver education, raising minimum requirements for both
in-class and in-vehicle learning.
Beginner driver courses will place a stronger focus on improving problem
attitudes and behaviours such as aggressive driving and speeding.
Other key improvements include:
<<
- Increasing instruction time from 35 to 40 hours
- A new focus on learning needs of young and high-risk drivers,
such as:
- Dealing with driver distraction
- Identifying dangerous situations and responding effectively
- Sharing the road with other drivers
- Understanding the risks of impaired driving and making
responsible choices.
>>
Ontario will audit and monitor driving schools to make sure they meet the
new standards, which will be mandatory on April 17, 2009. Any new programs
approved after April 17, 2008 will have to meet these standards.
During the 12-month transitional period, course providers may continue to
use their existing ministry-approved course curriculum.
QUOTES
"We want our novice drivers to learn the skills they need to stay safe on
the road. With these new Beginner Driver Education Program standards, we are
making sure our novice drivers get the best start possible," said
Transportation Minister Jim Bradley
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/about/minister.htm).
"Making sure Ontario's novice drivers benefit from quality driver
training is important - not only for their own safety, but for the safety of
everyone on the road," said Robert Tremblay of the Insurance Bureau of Canada
(http://www.ibc.ca/), who chaired the Beginner Driver Education Standards
Development Advisory Committee.
"The focus on safety - especially those skills and attitudes young
drivers need to reduce their collision risk in today's driving environment -
is really what makes Ontario's program stand out," said Ontario Safety League
(http://www.osl.org/home.asp?flash=no) President Brian Patterson.
QUICK FACTS
<<
- To meet the new standards, driving schools will have until April 17,
2009 to make the necessary changes to their course curriculum.
- Ontario's Beginner Driver Education program is designed to teach
novice drivers good driving habits and keep our roads safe. Since
2005, the McGuinty government has made a number of improvements to
support this program, including:
- Regulating all schools offering Beginner Driver Education courses
- Creating tough new standards for driving instructors
- Establishing a rigorous monitoring and audit program to ensure
schools are meeting Ontario's standards, including the use of
"undercover shoppers"
- More than 100,000 students graduate from a ministry-approved Beginner
Driver Education course each year.
>>
LEARN MORE
Find out how to get an Ontario driver's licence
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/drvlicen.htm).
Read the Driver's Handbook
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/drivhand/) for information about the
rules of the road and safe driving practices.
Find a driving school that provides ministry-approved Beginner Driver
Education courses
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/approve.htm).
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ontario.ca/transportation
Disponible en français
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For further information: Nicole Lippa-Gasparro, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158
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