http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/538115 I watched a 1-hour interview with Mr. Mulcahy on Legal Briefs with Lorne Honickman a few weeks ago. I felt terrible for him because he lost his 18-yr.old son at a very young age. When I listened to his pleas for "no tolerance" legislation with regard to drinking and speeding, I really did sympathize with him but knew legislation would never be passed based solely on his emotional recommendations. Of course, I was wrong. We can't ignore the number of drinks this 18-yr.old quickly consumed, then ripped down the road at a blistering pace (as confirmed by his surviving girlfriend). But we already have plenty of harsh laws prohibiting such behavior. Mr. Mulcahy suggested that if his son had lost his license to the two speeding tickets he had received months earlier, he would not have been able to be driving that night and would still be alive. With all due respect, this is nonsense. I just can't see how speeding tickets relate to drinking and driving. And not just drinking, but drinking a ridiculous amount (my kids would use the word "s**tfaced). All these new laws are going to do is harshly punish rural families. It seems that most legislation comes from leaders familiar with big cities such as Toronto or Ottawa. They say things like, "maybe riding the bus for a few months will teach them a lesson". Well guess what gentlemen, many of Ontario residents don't HAVE bus service. many of use live over 20 miles from the nearest town. Taking the license from a kid in this situation (for one speeding ticket) will surely spell the end of his/her job and place undo pressure on the parents. Is this really what our government wants? To punish parents for raising a child that has the gaul to rack up ONE lousy speeding ticket?? Perhaps, instead, we should be THANKED for instilling in our children that it is NOT OK to drink yourself stupid and fly down the road. Maybe that speeding ticket isn't a clear indication that a kid is going to go out a kill someone. Maybe it's just what it is... A SPEEDING TICKET! As much as I feel for Mr. Mulcahy, I don't see why he feels he must punish me and my kids with "zero-tolerance" legislation. To suggest "we" cannot stop at one or two drinks is an unfair statement. Everyday, thousands of young Ontarians stop at one or two drinks without ANY difficulty! Yet now they're going to be slammed for acting in a mature, self-controlled manner! Possible Scenario: - Take my oldest boy who's 6', 200lbs. - He spends the day helping me with yard work. - After a hard days work, I thank him over barbecued steak and a beer. - He then hops in his car and heads over to his girlfriends. - On the way, he's stopped and relieved of his license due the the single beer that has NO effect over his abilities behind the wheel. Is this really how we want to live our lives in this Province?

Topic

Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

by: Bookm on

78 Replies

User avatar
hwybear
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2934
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:21 am
Location: In YOUR rearview mirror!

Posting Awards

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

See that more and more of that in society, parents not being parents. People not owning up to errors, refuse to accept the consequences of their actions, trying every little nook and cranny to get out of it whatever they have done wrong. People blatantly lie and deny that "their little angel" could have done that!!

See that more and more of that in society, parents not being parents. People not owning up to errors, refuse to accept the consequences of their actions, trying every little nook and cranny to get out of it whatever they have done wrong. People blatantly lie and deny that "their little angel" could have done that!!

Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
User avatar
Reflections
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 1489
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:49 pm
Location: somewhere in traffic

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

I hear ya bear, but i will not point a finger and tarnish my halo............ :twisted:

I hear ya bear, but i will not point a finger and tarnish my halo............ :twisted:

http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com
User avatar
hwybear
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2934
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:21 am
Location: In YOUR rearview mirror!

Posting Awards

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

quick story: complaint of ATV's in a small town. I arrive in an unmarked cruiser, locate ATV doing donuts in a parking lot, so I just park there and observe for 10 min, then it heads towards me :shock: Goes past the front of my car and parks by a garage on the other side of the road. I drive up and pin the ATV to the building (enough so the driver can not reverse and get away) 14yr old gets off.. Tell him of the complaint and trespassing....."it wasn't me" huh? Parent comes out, I ask the teen to tell the parent what happened....it wasn't me :shock: Parent....so whats the problem :shock: I tell the parent what I saw they roll their eyes look at their child, you know you shouldn't be there, No stay off the bike the rest of the day :shock: Absolutely no care in the world for their "angel" child

quick story: complaint of ATV's in a small town. I arrive in an unmarked cruiser, locate ATV doing donuts in a parking lot, so I just park there and observe for 10 min, then it heads towards me :shock: Goes past the front of my car and parks by a garage on the other side of the road. I drive up and pin the ATV to the building (enough so the driver can not reverse and get away) 14yr old gets off.. Tell him of the complaint and trespassing....."it wasn't me" huh? Parent comes out, I ask the teen to tell the parent what happened....it wasn't me :shock: Parent....so whats the problem :shock:

I tell the parent what I saw they roll their eyes look at their child, you know you shouldn't be there, No stay off the bike the rest of the day :shock:

Absolutely no care in the world for their "angel" child

Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
User avatar
ditchMD
Jr. Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:39 am

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

This legislation is nothing more than a feel good reaction by our government who can then turn around and say "Look at what we did; we listened to the voters and taxpayers". I live in a mid-size city in Northern Ontario and the population is spread out over an area bigger than Toronto, York, Durham, Scarborough, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Oakville, Newmarket, Vaughn and Richmond Hill combined. Our public transit system is not very efficient and buses stop running at 12:15 am. Interestingly, the proponents of this law all seems to live in Southern Ontario where there any multiple alternative modes of transportation should a young driver be caught speeding. I work as a Paramedic, thus spending many hours driving around town. I can tell you that drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are quite problematic. They often do not wear their seatbelts, are uncooperative, lie about the event, which is obvious as their injuries are inconsistent with their stories. They are also, according to the latest statistics that I read, the biggest age group guilty of drinking and driving. Younger drivers seem, in my experience, to be courteous and truthful. They are fully aware of the consequences as it is a topic that is frequently mentioned on the ride to the hospital. Surely this means that our current laws have effect. I am in my 20s, married, own a home, and pay my taxes. Yet according to our politicians, I am barely an "irresponsible" citizen that needs to be constrained by laws that are arbitrary and unenforceable.

This legislation is nothing more than a feel good reaction by our government who can then turn around and say "Look at what we did; we listened to the voters and taxpayers". I live in a mid-size city in Northern Ontario and the population is spread out over an area bigger than Toronto, York, Durham, Scarborough, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Oakville, Newmarket, Vaughn and Richmond Hill combined. Our public transit system is not very efficient and buses stop running at 12:15 am. Interestingly, the proponents of this law all seems to live in Southern Ontario where there any multiple alternative modes of transportation should a young driver be caught speeding.

I work as a Paramedic, thus spending many hours driving around town. I can tell you that drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are quite problematic. They often do not wear their seatbelts, are uncooperative, lie about the event, which is obvious as their injuries are inconsistent with their stories. They are also, according to the latest statistics that I read, the biggest age group guilty of drinking and driving. Younger drivers seem, in my experience, to be courteous and truthful. They are fully aware of the consequences as it is a topic that is frequently mentioned on the ride to the hospital. Surely this means that our current laws have effect.

I am in my 20s, married, own a home, and pay my taxes. Yet according to our politicians, I am barely an "irresponsible" citizen that needs to be constrained by laws that are arbitrary and unenforceable.

User avatar
Radar Identified
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2881
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:26 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

You're right. They are the biggest age group guilty of drinking and driving (30s/40s/50s). In just about every province and US state. The government doesn't need to be a parent; parents need to be parents. Parents need to give their children the tools and resources to be successful in life, not to be happy & spoiled 100% of the time. Often that involves taking away their "toys" if they're irresponsible or reckless, showing them the consequences for inappropriate behaviour. When did parenting become all about spoiling your kid and not PARENTING?! I agree with Bear 100%. "NOT MY CHILD!" I get the same thing at work from time to time too, albeit under different circumstances than Bear would run into. The mentality in Ontario lately has been to try to legislate everything. It won't work. It won't make us any safer. Maybe if we adopted the same sort of driver education that they have in Germany we'd... ah, forget it, McGuinty would never go for it because it wouldn't involve banning something.

I work as a Paramedic, thus spending many hours driving around town. I can tell you that drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are quite problematic. They often do not wear their seatbelts, are uncooperative, lie about the event, which is obvious as their injuries are inconsistent with their stories. They are also, according to the latest statistics that I read, the biggest age group guilty of drinking and driving.

You're right. They are the biggest age group guilty of drinking and driving (30s/40s/50s). In just about every province and US state.

The government doesn't need to be a parent; parents need to be parents. Parents need to give their children the tools and resources to be successful in life, not to be happy & spoiled 100% of the time. Often that involves taking away their "toys" if they're irresponsible or reckless, showing them the consequences for inappropriate behaviour. When did parenting become all about spoiling your kid and not PARENTING?! I agree with Bear 100%. "NOT MY CHILD!" I get the same thing at work from time to time too, albeit under different circumstances than Bear would run into.

The mentality in Ontario lately has been to try to legislate everything. It won't work. It won't make us any safer. Maybe if we adopted the same sort of driver education that they have in Germany we'd... ah, forget it, McGuinty would never go for it because it wouldn't involve banning something.

lawmen
Sr. Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 256
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:57 pm
Location: Planet X

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

The more laws we have, the more charges are filed, the more the court system gets plugged up, the more chance of people getting off due to delay. Most tickets are in the $100 to 200 range. By the time the person pays the ticket, if they fight it in court, the provinces loses $200 to $500 trying to collect a $100-$200 fine. Think about the wages were paying cops, clerks, crowns, justices, court reporters, cop security in court, appeal judges, paper, ink, envelopes, postage, etc.

The more laws we have, the more charges are filed, the more the court system gets plugged up, the more chance of people getting off due to delay.

Most tickets are in the $100 to 200 range. By the time the person pays the ticket, if they fight it in court, the provinces loses $200 to $500 trying to collect a $100-$200 fine.

Think about the wages were paying cops, clerks, crowns, justices, court reporters, cop security in court, appeal judges, paper, ink, envelopes, postage, etc.

Without Justice there's JUST US
User avatar
hwybear
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2934
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:21 am
Location: In YOUR rearview mirror!

Posting Awards

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Not to mention lawyers fees :D WHY?? as our new "ditchMD" puts it that drivers....

lawmen wrote:

Think about the wages were paying cops, clerks, crowns, justices, court reporters, cop security in court, appeal judges, paper, ink, envelopes, postage, etc.

Not to mention lawyers fees :D

WHY?? as our new "ditchMD" puts it that drivers....

lie about the event

Last edited by hwybear on Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
User avatar
racer
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 957
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Contact:

Posting Awards

Moderator

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Was it Cicero who said "The more laws, the less justice"? We need to get rid of the clutter of old laws, not make new ones every time there is an accident.....

Was it Cicero who said "The more laws, the less justice"? We need to get rid of the clutter of old laws, not make new ones every time there is an accident.....

"The more laws, the less justice" - Marcus Tullius Cicero
"The hardest thing to explain is the obvious"

Ontario Traffic Ticket | Ontario Highway Traffic Act
User avatar
Reflections
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 1489
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:49 pm
Location: somewhere in traffic

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Can the public make a law against bad laws.....It sounds backwards but it might just work.

Can the public make a law against bad laws.....It sounds backwards but it might just work.

http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com
User avatar
hwybear
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 2934
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:21 am
Location: In YOUR rearview mirror!

Posting Awards

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Maybe not get rid of old ones......just go back and rewrite them properly!! So there is no confusion what so ever......hey...this could be a topic for the legal area....we offer suggestions, starting at section 1 (putting all definitions in the front, not filtered throughout), lawmen writes it up, we then have a new HTA and present it to parliament to "out with the old, in with the new"

racer wrote:

Was it Cicero who said "The more laws, the less justice"? We need to get rid of the clutter of old laws, not make new ones every time there is an accident.....

Maybe not get rid of old ones......just go back and rewrite them properly!! So there is no confusion what so ever......hey...this could be a topic for the legal area....we offer suggestions, starting at section 1 (putting all definitions in the front, not filtered throughout), lawmen writes it up, we then have a new HTA and present it to parliament to "out with the old, in with the new"

Above is merely a suggestion/thought and in no way constitutes legal advice or views of my employer. www.OHTA.ca
User avatar
Reflections
High Authority
High Authority
Posts: 1489
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:49 pm
Location: somewhere in traffic

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Do we have terabytes worth of space for this??????? :?:

Do we have terabytes worth of space for this??????? :?:

http://www.OHTA.ca OR http://www.OntarioTrafficAct.com
User avatar
racer
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 957
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Contact:

Posting Awards

Moderator

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

We'd better, our hosting gives us unlimited storage space :lol:

Reflections wrote:

Do we have terabytes worth of space for this??????? :?:

We'd better, our hosting gives us unlimited storage space

:lol:

"The more laws, the less justice" - Marcus Tullius Cicero
"The hardest thing to explain is the obvious"

Ontario Traffic Ticket | Ontario Highway Traffic Act
lawmen
Sr. Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 256
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:57 pm
Location: Planet X

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Can you please, please, please get rid of the sticky's in the general section. They're annoying. Put the how to post in the first thread on the index page. Let all other threads float. The last posted in thread should be at th top of the section. Also, when a new post is added to a section the section is lit up on the main index page, but once you come into the section the threads that were posted are no lit up on the left hand sie. You have to look for the dates and time on the right hand side to see which posts are new. Is there anyway you can light up the thread that was posted in? Rewriting the HTA is a great idea, but also time consuming. A winter project, maybe!

Can you please, please, please get rid of the sticky's in the general section. They're annoying. Put the how to post in the first thread on the index page. Let all other threads float. The last posted in thread should be at th top of the section.

Also, when a new post is added to a section the section is lit up on the main index page, but once you come into the section the threads that were posted are no lit up on the left hand sie. You have to look for the dates and time on the right hand side to see which posts are new.

Is there anyway you can light up the thread that was posted in?

Rewriting the HTA is a great idea, but also time consuming. A winter project, maybe!

Without Justice there's JUST US
User avatar
Bookm
Sr. Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 632
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:38 pm
Location: Stratford, Ontario

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

The highlighted sub-folders work properly for me.

The highlighted sub-folders work properly for me.

User avatar
Proper1
Member
Member
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:14 pm
Location: Caledonia, Ontario

Re: Zero Tolerance for 1st 5 years of driving...

Seem to work OK here too -- Firefox 3.0.4 on Windows XP.

Bookm wrote:

The highlighted sub-folders work properly for me.

Seem to work OK here too -- Firefox 3.0.4 on Windows XP.

Similar Topics