Ontario legislation aims to crack down on careless and dangerous driving

New legislation, dubbed “Andrew’s Law” after a father who was killed in a crash, aims to stiffen penalties for dangerous driving. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

Ontario will introduce sweeping new penalties for dangerous driving laws in a bill the provincial government says honours the memory of Andrew Cristillo, a 35-year-old father of three killed in an alleged dangerous driving crash in August.

Dubbed “Andrew’s Law”, the legislation tabled on Tuesday could impose lifetime driving bans to any motorist convicted of dangerous driving causing death. Police will also have the power to perform immediate roadside drivers licence suspensions for 90 days if they determine dangerous driving.

The legislation follows a petition launched by Cristillo’s brother, Jordan, after the fatal collision on Aug. 3. The 18-year-old driver charged in the crash, had been previously charged after a car struck an OPP vehicle, with Premier Doug Ford as a passenger, on Highway 401 in January.

After meeting with Cristillo’s family in the summer, Ford pledged to act. The bill is part of a bigger road-safety package focused on cracking down on dangerous, impaired and distracted driving.

Jordan Cristillo says the bill is what his family has been fighting for.

“My brother died because a dangerous driver was allowed to keep driving,” he said. “Andrew deserved better, and families deserve real protection. Andrew’s Law makes sure of it.”

Under the new legislation, drivers caught with a suspended licence would face a 14-day impound and a $2,000 to $10,000 fine for a first offence, a 30-day impound and $5,000 to $15,000 fine for a second, and a 45-day impound with fines of $10,000 to $20,000 for a third or subsequent offence.

A new seven-day roadside suspension would be given for careless driving infractions, and careless driving causing bodily harm or death would carry a 30-day suspension and fines of $1,000 to $5,000, up from the current $400 to $2,000 range.

Police would also have the power to issue an immediate 90-day roadside licence suspension if they have reason to believe a driver is operating a vehicle in a dangerous manner, the same power currently used during impaired driving investigations.

“No family should ever face the heartbreak of losing a loved one or the trauma of a life-changing injury because of a dangerous and careless driver,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said after announcing the proposed bill.

The province is also consulting on a measure that would require impaired drivers who kill a parent or guardian to provide financial support to the victims’ children.

Attorney General Doug Downey says the province is working to better support families devastated by impaired driving.

“Impaired driving is the leading cause of death on Ontario roads. When a child loses a parent due to impaired driving, it’s completely devastating,” he said. “That is why our government is taking action to develop practical solutions that can ease their burden and provide financial stability in the wake of such tragedies. It’s the latest step in our plan to hold impaired drivers accountable, protect victims of crime and keep communities safe.”

According to the provincial government, Ontario roads remain among the safest in North America, but distracted driving alone contributes to one-in-seven fatalities each year.

The government says Andrew’s Law is a necessary step to bring that number down.

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