The Ontario Liberals are pushing through distracted driving legislation that was left on the table back in March – and now drugged drivers will be under the microscope too.
‘Drugged drivers’ - those driving under the influence of drugs - will now face the same sanctions as ‘drunk drivers’ under the proposed bill aimed at curbing distracted drivers in Ontario.
“Ontario is one of only three jurisdictions in Canada right now that has no sanctions (on drugged drivers),” Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca told reporters. “We thought it was important.”
Del Duca added that an estimated 45 per cent of drivers killed in the province had drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol in their systems in 2011.
The bill is an updated version of one tabled in March but fell victim to the spring election. It increases penalties for talking or texting on hand-held smart phones, with maximum fines of $1,000 and three demerit points — which will make Ontario the toughest province on drivers who choose to drive distracted.
Other provisions of the bill include outlawing any chrome yellow painting (similar to school buses) of vehicles, and a requirement to have drivers wait until pedestrians have completed crossed a street that is designated a school or pedestrian crossing.
Also, drivers who ‘door’ cyclists (suddenly open a door causing a bicyclist to crash into it) would see penalties rise from a range of $60 to $500 to $300 and $1,000 and three demerit points instead of two.
And motorists would be expected to stay one metre away from cyclists “where practicable.” (continued.)
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To enforce the drugged driving, police officers who have reasonable grounds to suspect drug-impaired driving would be able to issue roadside drivers’ licence suspensions of three, seven, 30 and 90 days — in the same manner that is done for alcohol impaired drivers.
This would be a change from current policy of taking motorists to the police station for further evaluation if drugged driving is suspected.
Del Duca said that he is optimistic and confident that the technology will be in place in the coming months to provide police with scientific backup to detect and convict drugged drivers.
That technology – which is currently being developed in conjunction with the RCMP – would be a similar tool to an alcohol breathalyzer.
