Ontario to Introduce Andrew’s Law Aiming to Combat Dangerous Driving

Ontario's Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria attends question period at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto on Nov. 28, 2023. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

The Ontario government is introducing new legislation today aiming to strengthen dangerous driving laws in memory of a man who was killed by an alleged dangerous driver in August.

Andrew’s Law would impose lifetime driving bans on individuals found guilty of dangerous driving causing death, the province announced on Nov. 25.

The new legislation would also permit police officers to immediately revoke a driver’s licence for 90 days if there is reasonable suspicion that an individual is driving dangerously.

The law is named in honour of Andrew Cristillo, a married father of three daughters who was killed on Aug. 3 after being struck by a driver charged with dangerous and stunt driving.

“No family should ever face the heartbreak of losing a loved one or the trauma of a life-changing injury because of a dangerous and careless driver,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a Nov. 25 press release. “These proposed changes will deter reckless behaviour, hold offenders accountable and make our roads and highways safer.”

The law being tabled at Queen’s Park comes in response to the “Andrew’s Law” petition launched by Jordan Cristillo in tribute to his brother, with the goal of sparing other families the same anguish his has endured.

“My brother died because a dangerous driver was allowed to keep driving,” Jordan said. “Andrew deserved better, and families deserve real protection. Andrew’s Law makes sure of it.”

The 18-year-old man charged in the crash that killed Andrew was also charged after a car hit an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle Premier Doug Ford was travelling in on Highway 401 in January.

Ford told reporters during a Nov. 25 press conference that he met with Andrew’s family in the summer and vowed he would bring forward legislation in response to the family’s petition.

“What their family has to go through now, and the three little girls, and this is going to be lifelong for them,” he said. “And I made sure, and I promised their family that I’m going to go through with Andrew’s law.”

Law Would Increase Fines

Aside from the lifetime driving bans and 90-day roadside suspensions, the law will also impose stiffer fines.

A first-time offender will face a 14-day vehicle impoundment and a fine between $2,000 and $10,000 while someone caught a second time will be fined between $5,000 and $15,000 and have their vehicle impounded for 30 days.

Third and subsequent offences will result in a 45-day vehicle impoundment and a $10,000 to $20,000 fine.

The law would also implement a new seven-day roadside licence suspension for careless driving and a 30-day suspension for careless driving causing bodily harm or death. Fines would also increase to between $1,000 and $5,000—up from $400-$2,000—upon conviction for careless driving.

Distracted driving convictions will also come at a cost. A first offence will result in a seven-day suspension and $1,000 to $2,000 fine, while a second distracted driving conviction will come with a 14-day suspension and $1,000 to $4,000 fine.

Third and subsequent offences will result in a 60-day suspension and $1,000 to $6,000 fine.

The law would also increase minimum penalties for speed limiter violations on commercial vehicles from $250 to $1,000, which includes the operation of a commercial vehicle lacking a working speed limiter.