When a vulnerable road user is killed or injured by someone driving in Ontario, the punishment handed out is incredibly light — a meagre fine, with no license suspension, no jail time, no community service, and no driver training required. The offender is also not required to attend at court, leaving victims and families to read their victim impact statements without the guilty party present.
In 2017, VRU legislation was proposed twice at Queen’s Park, but both bills failed. In late 2018, MPP Jessica Bill introduced Bill 62, a private member’s bill that seeks, once again, to protect Vulnerable Road Users in Ontario.
If passed, the Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act would deliver tougher penalties and stronger deterrents to bad drivers who hurt or kill people with their vehicles.