Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea today advised that the first series of changes to the province’s graduated drivers laws have begun to come into effect.
“Strengthening the province’s rules for graduated drivers is part of our government’s ongoing efforts to increase road safety. Stronger laws are only part of the solution, though. We all need to take greater responsibility for increasing road safety when we get behind the wheel,” said Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea.
During the Fall Session of the Legislature An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act was passed which lays out strict new guidelines for newly licensed drivers in the province. Among the changes made to the legislation to improve road safety were:
• increased penalties for seat belt violations;
• a nighttime driving curfew between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.;
• increased passenger restrictions;
• zero Blood Alcohol Content (BAC);
• moving the minimum age to begin driver education from 15 ½ years of age to 16;
• restrictions on use of personal communications devices such as cellular phones, mp3s and PDAs while driving.
Shea advised that the first of these changes will come into effect this week, beginning with the increased passenger restrictions and increased penalties for seat belt violations. During a new driver’s first year with a Class 5 licence the maximum number of passengers allowed will decrease from three to one, plus immediate family members. For seat belt violations, the driver of a vehicle can now be fined for any passenger seat belt violations within the vehicle. Other changes will be phased in over the next few months, including a change in the minimum age requirement to enter driver education training and receive an Instruction Permit from 15 ½ years of age to 16 years of age. The current minimum age requirement of 15 ½ years will remain in place until April 1, 2007.