Introduced by:
Garfield  Dunlop (PC) Simcoe North

Title: An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to establish an ignition interlock device program / Loi modifiant le Code de la route afin d'établir un programme d'utilisation de dispositifs de verrouillage du système de démarrage.

Short Title:
Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Ignition Interlock Device), 2000/ Loi de 2000 modifiant le Code de la route (dispositifs de verrouillage du système de démarrage)

Acts Affected:
Highway Traffic Act

Explanatory Note

The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act to provide for the implementation of an ignition interlock program in Ontario for persons who violate laws related to drinking and driving. Where a first-time offender’s licence is reinstated following the required suspension period under the Act, the person’s driver’s licence is subject to the condition prohibiting him or her from driving any motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device. One year following reinstatement, a first-time offender may apply to the Registrar to remove the condition and the Registrar is required to do so if the person meets the criteria prescribed in the regulations. When a second-time offender’s driver’s licence is reinstated under the Act, his or her licence is also subject to the same condition. A second-time offender is permitted to make an application for the removal of the condition three years following his or her licence reinstatement. If a third-time offender’s licence is reinstated by the Registrar under the Act, then the condition on his or her licence is permanent.

Owners of motor vehicles that are not equipped with ignition interlock devices are prohibited from knowingly permitting a person to drive the vehicle, if that person’s licence prohibits him or her from doing so. A person is also not allowed to tamper with an ignition interlock device.

The Minister may in writing authorize any person to install, maintain and remove ignition interlock devices, and to charge fees for such services. The Bill also empowers the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations concerning: the approval of ignition interlock devices; the standards for the installation, operation and maintenance of the devices; and requirements for drivers to attend upon authorized service providers for the purpose of allowing them to gather information from the device.