Yup, Ouch

As was posted here yesterday on speculation, the Ontario government did indeed bring forth a series of "tough new" licensing rules and laws aimed at young drivers. There are a few clarifications from the previous speculation but the basic concept is there and includes the changes being for a 3-year term (until 19 rather than 21):

The proposed changes to the province's graduated licensing system, including zero tolerance for speeding and for drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel, and a limit of one teenage passenger.

To alleviate concerns about limiting teenage passengers to one, members of the driver's immediate family would be exempt. Also there would be a series of escalating sanctions will be slapped on young speeders, starting with a 30-day licence suspension and growing to a total suspension for a third offence.

This is obviously a Toronto-centric measure aimed at cities.

"In rural Ontario, in Northern Ontario, a vehicle is a fact of life in terms of getting from point A to point B," said New Democrat MPP Peter Kormos (Welland). He called the restriction on extra teenage passengers "feel-good stuff" to placate lobbyists.

Oh and I said this yesterday "This is a slippery slope... What is the logical difference between having such harsh rules for the first five three years of licensing and then all of a sudden saying œgo crazy”."

Well I'm glad one of the "won't someone please think of the children" crowd made the logical leap in one day.

Although I am in agreement with the MADD campaign, I am unclear as to why this new legislation restricts only young drivers. Shouldn't the issues of drivers drinking and speeding be expanded to address the entire population? I did not realize that at age 22 drinking no longer affects driving ability. If imposing zero tolerance legislation, age should not be a factor. Christine Kirwin, Toronto

However even in Ms. Kirwin's letter she doesn't go fully to the nth degree, because if age really shouldn't be a factor we should just all get used to the idea that no one should ever be able to drive with more than 1 other non-family under 19 year old in the car. It's for the children! Insanity.