Act
Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021 & Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 455/07
O. Reg. 215/17
O. Reg. 369/09
O. Reg. 215/17
O. Reg. 369/09
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
Summary of Decision:
The Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, also known as the "MOMS" Act, contains a series of measures that will help protect people and families. The Act will help keep Ontario's roads among the safest in North America by targeting those who engage in unsafe, high-risk driving. This legislation will continue Ontario's efforts to increase standards for customers and businesses while protecting pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, such as highway workers. The government is also fighting distracted driving to ensure that the public is aware of its preventable dangers and consequences.
Those who threaten the safety of others have no place on our roads; we will continue to target those drivers with increased suspensions and other penalties. The MOMS Act also included provisions to enact the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act. This Act will strengthen provincial oversight of the towing and vehicle storage sectors to reduce crime and fraud, promote road user and tow operator safety, improve customer protections, and create a level playing field for tow and storage operators.
The MOMS Act received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021.
Those who threaten the safety of others have no place on our roads; we will continue to target those drivers with increased suspensions and other penalties. The MOMS Act also included provisions to enact the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act. This Act will strengthen provincial oversight of the towing and vehicle storage sectors to reduce crime and fraud, promote road user and tow operator safety, improve customer protections, and create a level playing field for tow and storage operators.
The MOMS Act received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The MOMS Act protects people and families by targeting those who engage in stunt driving/street racing and unsafe, high-risk driving. The legislation also includes measures to protect vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and highway workers, improve truck safety, and strengthen provincial oversight of the towing and vehicle sectors.
There are no anticipated compliance or new administrative costs to businesses, non-profits or the greater public at this time. Impacts of any supporting regulations will be assessed when the regulations are developed.
There are no anticipated compliance or new administrative costs to businesses, non-profits or the greater public at this time. Impacts of any supporting regulations will be assessed when the regulations are developed.
Further Information:
Extended Summary List of Proposals
(Download Adobe Reader)
Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 26 - Bill 282
Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 26 - Bill 282
Proposal Number:
21-MTO028
Posting Date:
April 26, 2021
Summary of Proposal:
The safety of all road users is a priority for this government. For over 20 consecutive years, Ontario has ranked among the top five jurisdictions in North America with one of the lowest fatality rates per 10,000 licensed drivers.
Since 2008, significant improvements in road safety have been made. Between 2008 and 2017, the fatality rate per 10,000 licensed drivers decreased by 13%.
Despite this safety record, there is always room for improvement. The 2017 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (ORSAR) (latest data available) has identified vulnerable road users, speeding and high-risk drivers as priority areas. There is some evidence, as well, that stunt driving and street racing have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other concerning road safety trends include growing violence, corruption, criminal activity and consumer protection issues in the towing industry. There is also a need to improve commercial safety and compliance.
This proposal sets out initiatives that, if passed, would help keep Ontario's roads among the safest in North America through enhancements to Ontario's existing stunt driving law and new measures to address vulnerable road user safety and commercial vehicle safety.
These proposals could, if passed, improve road safety outcomes and have an impact in curbing aggressive and high-risk driving behaviour that impacts all road users, including children using school buses, workers on or near highways and street car passengers. They may also improve commercial vehicle safety, industry standards and protections for consumers and businesses, and could strengthen provincial oversight of the towing sector to reduce crime and fraud, promote road user and tow operator safety, and create a level playing field for tow operators.
Improving transportation safety and protecting all road users has far-reaching benefits. The direct cost of collisions in Ontario in 2017 was an estimated $4.7 billion, which includes the cost of property damage, health care, police services, courts, fire and ambulance services, tow trucks, out-of-pocket costs, and traffic delays. These proposals aim to save lives and reduce costs to Ontarians.
The ministry invites comments on these proposals. Please see the attached extended summary of the proposals that may impact business or municipalities for your review.
A proposal notice has also been posted on the Environmental Registry at the following link: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-3534
Since 2008, significant improvements in road safety have been made. Between 2008 and 2017, the fatality rate per 10,000 licensed drivers decreased by 13%.
Despite this safety record, there is always room for improvement. The 2017 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (ORSAR) (latest data available) has identified vulnerable road users, speeding and high-risk drivers as priority areas. There is some evidence, as well, that stunt driving and street racing have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other concerning road safety trends include growing violence, corruption, criminal activity and consumer protection issues in the towing industry. There is also a need to improve commercial safety and compliance.
This proposal sets out initiatives that, if passed, would help keep Ontario's roads among the safest in North America through enhancements to Ontario's existing stunt driving law and new measures to address vulnerable road user safety and commercial vehicle safety.
These proposals could, if passed, improve road safety outcomes and have an impact in curbing aggressive and high-risk driving behaviour that impacts all road users, including children using school buses, workers on or near highways and street car passengers. They may also improve commercial vehicle safety, industry standards and protections for consumers and businesses, and could strengthen provincial oversight of the towing sector to reduce crime and fraud, promote road user and tow operator safety, and create a level playing field for tow operators.
Improving transportation safety and protecting all road users has far-reaching benefits. The direct cost of collisions in Ontario in 2017 was an estimated $4.7 billion, which includes the cost of property damage, health care, police services, courts, fire and ambulance services, tow trucks, out-of-pocket costs, and traffic delays. These proposals aim to save lives and reduce costs to Ontarians.
The ministry invites comments on these proposals. Please see the attached extended summary of the proposals that may impact business or municipalities for your review.
A proposal notice has also been posted on the Environmental Registry at the following link: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-3534
Contact Address:
Policy, Priorities and Coordination Office
Policy Coordination and Intergovernmental Branch
438 University Ave, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5G 2K8
Canada
Policy Coordination and Intergovernmental Branch
438 University Ave, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5G 2K8
Canada
Royal Assent Date:
June 3, 2021
Decision:
Approved