Statement to the Ontario Legislature (November 2, 2005)

(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to talk about a very sad but true reality in Ontario - drunk driving.

This is an issue we must all work together to combat. At the same time, I'm proud to report Ontario has the lowest rate of alcohol-related road deaths in Canada.

And our government is doing everything we can to keep drunk drivers off Ontario roads.

This province already has some of the toughest anti-drinking and driving laws in the country, including stiff fines, licence suspensions, mandatory remedial measures and an ignition interlock program.

Our government is also trying to address the fact that young drivers are more likely to be involved in a drunk driving collision.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, drinking drivers aged 18 to 21 are 25 per cent more likely to be involved in a collision than those aged 22 to 30.

That's why my ministry specifically targets new, young drivers through Ontario's Graduated Licensing System. Our government has a zero tolerance policy for novice drivers. They must maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving. A fully licensed driver who has a blood alcohol level of less than .05 per cent must also accompany them.

I'd also like to note, our government recently passed legislation to protect young G2 drivers. Bill 73 restricts the number of teenaged passengers they can carry between midnight and five a.m.

Our research shows that new teenage drivers are almost three times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious collision when they are carrying teenage passengers. In fact, research shows the more teenage passengers, the higher the risk.

Our government also launched the iDRIVE campaign last year. It includes a video by and for young people to raise awareness about dangerous driving - including impaired driving. So far, 1,800 copies have been distributed to schools, community groups, public health offices and police.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to drunk driving, our government is looking at measures to discourage first time offenders from becoming repeat offenders.

We also want to target repeat and serious offenders.

In short, our government is doing everything we can to keep drunk drivers off Ontario roads.

Mr. Speaker, we're joined today by Amy Swinson, former president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Mary Sultan, the president of the Toronto Chapter of MADD Canada. I'd like to acknowledge the great work MADD does to educate people and prevent impaired driving.

Yesterday, I was pleased to help MADD Canada launch its annual Project Red Ribbon along with my colleagues Ministers Kwinter and Bryant. MADD Canada is distributing four million of these red ribbons across the country this holiday season.

The red ribbon is a sign of respect for the thousands of people who have lost their lives or who have been injured as a result of impaired driving.

By tying it on your vehicle, it serves as a commitment not to drink and drive, and as a reminder to others.

Or, a red ribbon on your car key-chain is also a good reminder.

Mr. Speaker, I know all Honourable Members will want to join me in supporting MADD Canada by tying a red ribbon on their vehicle or key chain.

Ontario has the safest roads in North America. But the simple fact is that drunk driving costs lives - too many lives.

In 2003 more than 200 people died and more than 500 were seriously hurt in collisions caused by drunk drivers.

There is some encouraging news. The number of drinking and driving deaths is falling - down 35 per cent in the last 10 years.

And yet, Mr. Speaker, drinking and driving is still a factor in about one quarter of all fatal collisions in Ontario.

That's why we have tough laws to stop people from drinking and driving.

And that's why our government is working with MADD Canada and other community groups and organizations to raise public awareness. We're doing this through Holiday RIDE and other campaigns as well as Project Red Ribbon.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to make these Red Ribbons available to all Members so they can join me in "tying one on for safety"

And urging everyone not to drink and drive this holiday season.

Thank you.

See also: Bill 73, Highway Traffic Statute Law Amendment Act, 2004 (Child and Youth Safety Act)