May 19, 2004

Number of suspended drivers in Ontario increases 2.4 times in 5 years
MADD Canada concerned about suspended drivers on road without licences of insurance

A new traffic safety report reveals a dramatic increase in the number of suspended drivers in Ontario since 1998, the year when the provincial government brought in sweeping changes to get tough on impaired driving. Motorists should beware that Ontario's worst driving offenders skip the mandatory remedial program and do not bother to reapply for their drivers' licences. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) claims this can lead to tragic hardships for motorists, when people are involved in a crash with a driver who has no licence and no insurance.

MADD Canada commissioned Synectics Transportation Consultants to study the effects of Ontario's remedial measures for those convicted of Criminal Code traffic violations and receiving a one-year licence suspension. The report's conclusions include:

• More suspended drivers are failing to carry out the violations placed on them to get their licence reactivated
• Suspended drivers with alcohol-related offences are increasingly not reactivating their licences immediately (8845 in 2001; 3583 in 1997)
• Suspended drivers are increasingly not reactivating their licences within 6 months of eligibility (7154 in 2001; 2428 in 1997)

These facts lead to the disturbing finding that "the number of drivers having a suspended licence in Ontario is increasing rapidly, having more than doubled in a three-year period."

The reality that offenders who do not reactivate their suspended drivers licence are on the rise is significant when combined with research that suggests up to 75% of suspended drivers continue to drive; and suspended drivers are over represented in fatal and serious injury crashes.

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's National Executive Director, indicates all Ontario motorists are at an increased risk of becoming involved with bad drivers on the roads. "We have offenders who don't bother respecting their driving suspensions, don't bother to complete the remedial programs, and decide to drop out of the system and not reactivate their licence. So, on our roads, we have unlicenced and uninsured drivers, many who are repeat offenders - the worst types of drivers."

"All motorists will share this growing concern of who is behind the wheel of the on-coming vehicle," adds Mr. Murie. "You don't want to be a crash victim with a person who has a suspended licence, or no licence at all, and no insurance."

MADD Canada recently presented the Ontario Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar a series of practical solutions that would enhance the police and the Motor Registrar's abilities to effectively deal with suspended drivers. Mr. Murie explains there are three areas where the Ontario Government can improve enforcement and ensure suspended drivers respect their sentences.

1.  Provide legal framework to allow police at roadside checkpoints to check for licence documentation.
2.  Provide administrative framework to allow for Motor Registrar to share information with police enforcement agencies.
3.  Allow police to use 'hot sheets' to target and more readily identify the worst driving offenders.

According to Mr. Murie, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is still reviewing the findings of this report. "We anxiously await the Minister's response to the report's findings and hope he will act swiftly on the available solutions, which are both sensible and cost-effective."

The full report can be found on the news section of MADD Canada's website at www.madd.ca.

For further information, call:

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada National Executive Director
1-800-665-6233, ext. 224