Tougher penalties for careless drivers
Drivers convicted of careless driving and endangering pedestrians are now facing harsher penalties.
The new laws came into effect on Sept. 1
Drivers convicted of careless driving causing bodily harm or death will face:
- Fines from $2,000 to $50,000
- Six demerit points
- A driver’s licence suspension of up to five years
- Up to two years in jail
“Time and time again we’ve seen families devastated because a loved one is hurt or killed by a dangerous driver, and the driver walks away with no more than a slap on the wrist,” John Yakabuski, Minister of Transportation said in a media release. “This new charge sends a clear message that dangerous driving won’t be tolerated.”
Penalties will also increase for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at crossovers, school crossings and crosswalks. The maximum penalty is now $1,000 and four demerit points.
Drivers are also reminded that they must yield the entire roadway at pedestrian crossovers, school crossings, and other locations where there is a crossing guard, and cannot continue driving until pedestrians have finished crossing the road completely.