---

Ontario Brokers Applaud Provincial Government’s New Drinking and Driving Measures for Young Motorists: IBAO

(Toronto), July 28th, 2010. Today, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) applauds the Ontario government’s recent announcement of new changes being implemented to protect Ontario’s young drivers. This new law, which will be implemented on August 1st, states that all young drivers under the age of 21 and new motorists will be required to have a zero blood alcohol level when behind the wheel.

Officially announced in 2009, this new legislation was introduced to protect young drivers who are most at risk for being involved in drinking and driving related incidents.

Encouraging safe driving has been and continues to be a central focus for IBAO and its members. IBAO has been in partnership for more than a decade with the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) and together they are committed to teaching Ontario students about the dangers of driving while under the influence.

“We are thrilled that this new law has been officially put in place,” stated IBAO CEO Randy Carroll. “We are committed to protecting Ontario’s youth. Automobile incidents, where alcohol was a contributing factor, are still the number one cause of death for people aged 16-24 in Ontario and this new legislation promises to diminish the number of fatalities significantly.”

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has highlighted the following consequences associated with the new legislation:

• All drivers 21 years of age and younger must have a zero blood alcohol level when they get behind the wheel or face:
  • An immediate 24-hour licence suspension
  • 30-day licence suspension
  • Up to $500 in fines
• Drivers in the Graduated Licensing System will face tougher penalties if they violate the conditions of their licence or if they are convicted of any Highway Traffic Act offences that carry four or more demerit points. Penalties include:
  • 30-day licence suspension for the first instance
  • 90-day licence suspension for a second instance
  • Further instances can lead to a cancellation of the licence and other penalties

IBAO has created a consumer awareness video on the new drinking and driving law, posted on their consumer blog: http://www.myinsuranceshopper.ca/Blog

For more information, Ontarians can visit the Ministry’s official website, www.mto.gov.on.ca

For more information on OSAID, students are encouraged to visit their new interactive website, www.OSAID.org

About IBAO

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is a 'not for profit' association that represents and serves the interests of over 11,000 independent Property & Casualty Insurance Brokers in the Province of Ontario. www.ibao.on.ca.