Statement by
The Honourable Donna Cansfield
Minister of Transportation

MADD MOU on Roadside Signs

Legislature Building, Queen's Park, Toronto
November 28, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to speak to an important agreement that will help raise public awareness about the terrible consequences of impaired driving.

The McGuinty government and Mothers Against Drunk Driving – MADD – have agreed to place roadside signs in memory of those who have lost their lives as a result of a drunk driver.

MADD Canada will administer the memorial sign program, and will work with the Ministry of Transportation to install the signs at safe locations along provincial highways.

Mr. Speaker, these memorial signs will remind people of the high cost of impaired driving – the cost of someone's life.

As Minister of Transportation I have worked closely with MADD Canada and other community groups such as the Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving and the Ontario Safety League. I have been repeatedly moved when I hear the testimonials of those who have lost loved ones to impaired drivers.

Mr. Speaker, the McGuinty government supports MADD Canada's efforts to stop drunk driving.

Ontario also has some of the toughest anti-drinking and driving laws in North America, including stiff fines, licence suspensions, mandatory alcohol education or treatment, and an ignition interlock program.

While I'm proud that Ontario has the safest roads in North America, drinking and driving is still a factor in about one quarter of all fatal collisions in Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, about 16,000 people are convicted of drinking and driving every year in Ontario – that's a rate of about two an hour.

There is some encouraging news. The number of fatal drinking and driving crashes is falling – down 35 per cent in the last 10 years.

The latest statistics show the number of fatalities involving an impaired driver in Ontario fell by more than 11 per cent in 2004, compared to the year before. (192 in 2004 from 217 in 2003 according to ORSAR 2004)

We need to get the anti-drunk driving message out in every way we can. Drunk drivers will not be tolerated on Ontario roads.

That's why we have tough drunk driving laws.

And that's why the McGuinty government is working with MADD Canada, community groups and law enforcement to raise public awareness.

Mr. Speaker, these memorial signs will help do that. They will remind people to make the responsible choice. I know all Honourable Members will want to help us spread this message.

Don't drink and drive.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.