The provincial government is pumping the brakes on careless driving by introducing stiffer penalties such as jail time for any driver who endangers the lives of pedestrians.
The PC government announced Friday that starting September 1, drivers convicted of careless driving causing bodily harm or death will now face fines from $2,000 to $50,000, six demerit points, a driver's licence suspension of up to five years, and 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," said Minister of Transportation John Yakabuski in a news release. "This new charge sends a clear message that dangerous driving won't be tolerated."
Any driver convicted for failing to yield to pedestrians at crossovers, school crossings and crosswalks will also face an increased fine of $1,000 and four demerit points.
The Ontario government is also reminding drivers that they must wait until pedestrians have finished crossing the road completely before they can proceed through pedestrian crossovers, school crossings, and other locations with a crossing guard.
"The number of pedestrians being injured and killed on our roads has reached a critical level," said Yakabuski. "Tougher penalties help, but we need everyone to step up and do their part by driving safely and responsibly."
