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Play safe this weekend

Minister of Transportation Donna Cansfield News Release ************************ Queen's Park - This Canada Day long weekend, the McGuinty government is reminding Ontarians that drunk drivers and street-racers have no place on Ontario's roads.
Minister of Transportation Donna Cansfield
News Release

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Queen's Park - This Canada Day long weekend, the McGuinty government is reminding Ontarians that drunk drivers and street-racers have no place on Ontario's roads.

"Keeping our communities and families safe is a priority for this government," said Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield. "More people are injured in drinking and driving collisions on July 1 than on New Year's Eve.
Our message is simple: do not street race and do not drive any vehicle - car, boat or ATV - when impaired by alcohol or drugs."

Drinking is a factor in about a quarter of all fatal crashes in Ontario with twice as many people killed in drinking and driving related crashes in the summer, compared to winter. In 2004, more than 40 per cent of all drinking and driving fatalities occurred between May 1 and August 31.

Drinking and operating a boat can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. In 2006, alcohol was a factor in about 38 per cent of fatal boating incidents in Ontario. That's why in 2006, Ontario also passed legislation that
treats drinking and operating a boat the same way as drinking and driving a vehicle.

Earlier this year, the McGuinty government took action to strengthen Ontario's response to drinking drivers and street racers. The Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act, 2007, contains the toughest street-racing measures in the
country including:

- Increasing fines up to $10,000, the highest fine for street racers in Canada

- Allowing police to immediately suspend drivers' licences

- Impounding cars for seven days at roadside in cases where street racing, driving contests or stunt driving are suspected

- Banning driving on a highway with a connected nitrous oxide system.

Ontario's new law also contains stronger penalties for drinking drivers who have a 0.05 to 0.08 blood alcohol concentration ("the warn range"). Once regulations are in place, sanctions will increase to a minimum three-day
suspension for a first occurrence. For a second instance, a new seven-day suspension and remedial measures will be introduced. For a third or subsequent infraction, sanctions will increase to a 30-day suspension, remedial measures and a six-month ignition interlock device. Courts will be able to order the seizure of vehicles from repeat drinking and driving offenders. The province is also introducing a new early ignition interlock program for some Criminal Code offenders.

"Street racers and repeat drinking and driving offenders should know that we will use all legal tools at our disposal, including criminal and civil forfeiture of vehicles in appropriate circumstances, to ensure our roads are safe," said Attorney General Michael Bryant. "Our government has had enough of street racers and we will do everything we can to stop them, including asking the courts to order the forfeiture of their vehicles."

"We're targeting street racers, aggressive drivers and those who continue to drive while drug or alcohol impaired," Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino said. "Too many motorists still insist on drinking
and driving and speeding. OPP officers are patrolling 24 hours a day, seven-days-a-week in an effort to save lives and reduce injuries."

"Our government is committed to keeping you safe. Through our road safety laws and the continued efforts of our road safety partners, we are putting the brakes on street racing and drunk driving. Whether you are heading out onto
the roads or waterways this holiday weekend, be responsible and drive safe and sober," stressed Cansfield.

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