MADD applauds Ontario Government

Mothers Against Drunk Driving
News Release

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) supports the Ontario Government’s new civil law that takes repeat impaired drivers out of their vehicles. Taking effect today, drivers who repeatedly choose to drive while impaired now risk losing their car permanently.

Wanda Kristensen, MADD Canada’s Director of Programs, accompanied by the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation and the Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General, were on hand in Hamilton to take part in the official announcement of Ontario’s new civil vehicle forfeiture law.

Ms. Kristensen said, “There is strong public support for governments to strengthen measures aimed at reducing impaired driving. We recently commissioned a study, along with Transport Canada, that showed 89 per cent of respondents favoured the confiscation of vehicles of convicted drivers who choose to drive while their licence is suspended.”

The new law applies to automobiles, motorcycles, motor assisted bicycles, and snowmobiles. The legislation allows the civil courts to impound and forfeit a vehicle if the court finds: That the vehicle was involved in, or is likely to be involved in, a drinking and driving offence, and is owned or driven by a person whose driver’s licence has been suspended for a drinking and driving offence two or more times in the preceding 10 years. In addition, the court may release the vehicle if its registered owner agrees to certain terms and conditions including fitting the vehicle with an ignition interlock device.

MADD Canada had high praise for the Ontario Government. In her remarks at the announcement, Ms. Kristensen said, “MADD Canada has had a very progressive working relationship with the Ontario Government. And, as today’s announcement demonstrates, we continue to work together on behalf of victims of impaired driving and all motorists to make our roads safer. MADD Canada and its thousands of volunteers support this legislation in our mission to stop the needless toll of death and human carnage due to impaired driving and to support the victims of this violent crime.”

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