Ontario Sets Tough Penalties for Deadly Driving

Summary#

• This Ontario bill changes the Highway Traffic Act to set tough penalties when breaking a traffic law leads to a crash that kills someone or causes serious injury.

• It applies if a person is committing any offence under the Act (for example, speeding or running a red light) and causes, or helps cause, a crash that results in death or serious bodily harm.

• Key changes:

  • Creates a specific offence for traffic violations that cause death or serious injury.
  • Sets a fine between $2,000 and $50,000.
  • Allows jail time of up to two years.
  • Allows a driver’s licence suspension for up to five years.
  • Takes effect as soon as it receives Royal Assent (becomes law).

What it means for you#

• Drivers

  • If you break a traffic law and it leads to a crash that kills or seriously injures someone, you could face a large fine, up to two years in jail, and losing your licence for up to five years.
  • The fine has a minimum of $2,000. A judge decides the exact penalty based on the case.
  • You do not have to be the only cause of the crash. If your actions contributed, the penalties can still apply.

• Pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users

  • The goal is to deter dangerous driving and make roads safer by setting clear, serious penalties when harm occurs.

• Families of victims

  • The law sets out defined, higher penalties for cases where a traffic violation leads to death or serious injury.

• Commercial drivers and employers

  • A licence suspension of up to five years can prevent someone from working in jobs that require driving.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Stronger penalties will deter dangerous behavior and help prevent serious crashes.
• Sets clear consequences when a traffic violation leads to a death or serious injury, which families often call for.
• Gives judges a wider range of tools (fine, jail, licence suspension) to match the penalty to the harm caused.
• Covers more situations by applying to any traffic offence that contributes to a deadly or serious crash.

Opponents' View#

• Could punish people very harshly for a single mistake, even if others also contributed to the crash.
• May overlap with existing offences and create confusion about which charge to use.
• Terms like “serious bodily harm” may not be clear to the public, leading to uneven use of the law.
• Could increase court cases and costs without clear proof it will reduce crashes.