By: Satad Sharar
The Moving Ontarians More Safely Act was created on the 26th of April, 2021. This law was created by Doug Ford, who belongs to the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. It is a criminal law, which is categorized as public law. When COVID hit Ontario, in March of 2020, the number of drivers on the street decreased drastically due to a lot of people working remotely. This meant there was a lot more free space on the streets for the racers and speeders in Ontario. This was clearly evident in some statistics: even though there were fewer collisions, traffic-related fatalities in Ontario increased by 22%. This law has achieved its desired effect because the number of speeding tickets being given out on highways has not been increasing at such a high rate as last year, which is what the government wanted. An insurance premium raise of 34% (if convicted) also lowered the number of speeders and racers. There was a lot of controversy when this bill was introduced because this meant car communities and car enthusiasts would be on the police ‘radar’. Police officers would be able to pull them over for no reason other than the looks of their car and issue tickets for having illegal modifications on their car.
My opinion on this law is that I think it is reasonable for the overall safety of the public. When this law is being enacted by the police, it deters others from speeding and racing on streets or highways, reducing traffic-related fatalities and accidents. When car enthusiasts complained about this bill it was not reasonable because having illegal modifications on a car is a choice and there will be risk of consequences. When someone is pulled over (for a proper reason) and issued a ticket for an illegal modification, it is their fault and the consequences are reasonable.
Works Cited
Moving ontarians more safely act, 2021. Legislative Assembly of Ontario. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-282
Ontario's moms act passes: Drivers face harsher penalties for dangerous driving. Ontario's MOMS Act Passes: Drivers Face Harsher Penalties for Dangerous Driving - RATESDOTCA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://rates.ca/resources/ontarios-moms-act-passes-drivers-face-harsher-penalties-for-dangerous-driving#:~:text=On%20April%2026%2C%20the%20government,the%20towing%20and%20storage%20industry
