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Proposed Ontario legislation to limit the driving privileges of people under age 22 is experiencing backlash from young drivers before the bill is even tabled.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said Tuesday the "modest restrictions" will include a zero blood-alcohol limit for all Ontario drivers aged 21 and under and escalating sanctions for young drivers who speed, starting with a 30-day licence suspension.
Drivers between 16 and 19 will also be limited to having only one teenage passenger in the vehicle, which McGuinty conceded will mean three 19-year-old adults could not go to a movie – or church – in the same car.
"Perhaps the most precious thing we have in society is our children, and that includes our older children," McGuinty said.
"We owe it to our kids to take the kinds of measures that ensure that they will grow up safe and sound and secure, and if that means a modest restriction on their freedoms until they reach the age of 22, then as a dad, I'm more than prepared to do that."
The legislation is set to be tabled this afternoon, and already several online Facebook groups have sprung up protesting the proposed law.
More than 1,000 people have joined the groups and while some are in favour of the legislation, many disagree, especially with the passenger rules.
Teens are posting comments suggesting the law will discourage carpooling and having designated drivers.
"How does it make sense to try and teach us about saving gas by carpooling and buying hybrids and things such as that when it is illegal for teenagers to carpool if this passes?" one person wrote.
Another wrote that the law would "encourage drunk driving!"
"We would need more cars which means more designated drivers. My friends already don't want this job!"
Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory said he likes the idea of new rules for younger drivers, but worries the restrictions on teenage passengers could be unworkable, especially in rural Ontario.
"We want to protect public safety and have stricter conditions under which young people can drive cars, but we have to be careful of the practicalities of living," Tory said.
"In rural Ontario sometimes if you're going to a hockey game, a movie or just going to school ... we have to be careful that we don't do things that are impractical."
