By CKDP Staff

The McGuinty government is cracking down on some of the most persistent, dangerous driving behaviors, with new penalties as of January 1, 2010, said Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Pat Hoy.

“Tougher penalties for unsafe driving will help keep motorists safe,” said Hoy. “Municipalities receive every penny of traffic offence fines, but it’s the type of revenue we all hope goes down with safer driving.”

Hoy said that effective January 1, 2010, penalties for the following offences will increase:

• failure to stop at a red light – the maximum fine will increase from $500 to $1,000

• failure to wear a seat belt and failure to ensure passengers under 16 are properly secured – the maximum fine will increase from $500 to $1,000

• careless driving and failure to remain at the scene of a collision – the maximum fine will increase from $1,000 to $2,000. Other existing maximum penalties for these offences will remain, including a two-year licence suspension and six-month jail term.

Penalties for drivers who do not pull over and stop for emergency vehicles or who follow fire vehicles too closely will undergo the greatest change:

• first offence: a maximum fine of $2,000, three demerit points plus a possible two-year licence suspension — up from the current maximum penalty of a $500 fine.

• subsequent offences (within five years): a maximum fine of $4,000 fine, three demerit points, a two-year driver’s license suspension and a six-month prison sentence – up from the current maximum penalty of a $500 fine.