Private Member’s Bill Receives Royal Assent
Ontario boaters caught drinking while boating can now lose their motor vehicle driver's licence for up to one year. Bill 209, An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act with respect to the suspension of drivers’ licences, received Royal Assent in the 38th Legislature on June 22, 2006. The Bill was introduced by Toronto Liberal backbencher, David Zimmer as a private member’s bill.
Under the new legislation, police and courts can now suspend motor vehicle licences for boaters who are drunk or have elevated levels of alcohol in their blood.
Boaters who blow close to the legal limit on a breathalyzer test can have their licence suspended for 12 hours, and those convicted of being drunk while boating can lose their licence for a year. On top of that, all the penalties accruing to drunken driving on the roads will kick in, including an increase in the cost of motor-vehicle insurance if convicted.
To read Bill 209, please click here for a link to the Government of Ontario website.
