Ontario gets tough with suspended drivers

TORONTO — Ontario drivers caught with suspended licences will face fines of $5000 to $50,000 and possible vehicle impoundment under a new program implemented by the provincial Ministry of Transportation.

The initiative, which took effect yesterday, applies to all drivers in Ontario operating with a suspended licence due to a Criminal Code conviction. Criminal Code driving-related offences include drinking and driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and dangerous driving.

Fines have been set at $5000 to $25,000 for a first offence, up from $500 to $5000, and $10,000 to $50,000, up from $1000 to $5000, for a subsequent offence.

Fines were also increased for a person caught driving with a licence under suspension for a non-Criminal Code conviction. The new fines range from $1000 to $5000, up from $500 to $5000.

In addition, the province will impound vehicles driven by suspended drivers for a minimum of 45 days starting Feb. 2, 1999. The vehicle impoundment program applies to all vehicle owners. Owners will be responsible for ensuring that any person driving their vehicle has a valid driver’s licence, and will also be responsible for paying all towing and storage costs.

The owner can appeal the impoundment if the vehicle was stolen at the time; the driver did not have a Criminal Code suspension; the loss of a vehicle would result in exceptional hardship; or the vehicle owner did everything reasonably in his power to ensure the person driving his vehicle had a valid driver’s licence.

The vehicle impoundment program does not affect persons caught driving while under a non-Criminal Code suspension for offences such as unpaid fines or demerit point accumulation.