Bill Addressing Road Safety Closer to Becoming Law
By John Smee
It is not all doom & gloom re: road safety. There is some some good news.
Scarborough Southwest MPP Doly Begum, and Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale), and MPP Bhutila Karpoche’s (Parkdale-High Park) co-sponsored a bill; Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act, 2021.
The Bill passed second reading vote in Queen’s Park.
Begum has been consulting with local community members and organizations to understand the changes that they would like to see. The Vulnerable Road Users Act is a part of a bigger plan to ensure that all members of our community— pedestrians, seniors, children, cyclists, drivers, transit users—have safe and accessible streets.
About this Bill:
This Bill will bring in penalties and systems of accountability for drivers who injure or kill a pedestrian, cyclist, or worker on the road due to negligent driving. If a driver is breaking road rules such as texting, speeding, etc. and injures or fatally impacts a vulnerable road user, they will face tougher consequences. The penalties include license suspension requiring the driver to take a driver re-education course, community service, and a requirement to go to court and hear a victim impact statement. You can read more about the Bill at; https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-62.
What’s next?
Upon passing second reading in the House, the Bill has been sent to the Justice Policy committee for hearings, where MPPs from all parties will have the opportunity to provide feedback and propose amendments. The committee will also allow for feedback in the forms of oral or written presentations from community members, advocacy groups and organizations.
If you would like to be a part of the deputation process, contact the MPP’s Community Office at 3110 Kingston Rd Unit 5A, Scarborough, ON M1M 1P2. Phone: 416-261-9525 Fax: 416-261-0381.
Email: DBegum-CO@ndp.on.ca