Young and novice drivers are often over-represented among the victims of motor vehicle accidents, largely because of their relative inexperience. For this reason, the provincial governments have put laws in place to promote the safety of young drivers.
In Ontario, and certain other provinces, all drivers under the age of 21 and all novice drivers, regardless of age, must maintain a blood alcohol concentration of zero in order to drive. In addition to abstaining from drinking alcohol, young drivers should be educated about the effects of prescription, over-the-counter and recreational drugs. Taking allergy or cold medications often make it unsafe for one to drive and young or novice drivers might not realize this until it is too late.
In Ontario, the government has a graduated licensing system, which promotes driver safety by enforcing strict rules on new drivers. The driving restrictions are gradually lessened as the driver gains more experience. At 16 years of age, anyone can take a written test and an eye test to obtain a “G1” driver’s license. This is a beginner’s license. With a G1 license, a driver must drive with an experienced driver, must not drive on certain busy highways and expressways and must not drive between midnight and 5:00 am.
After a driver has a G1 license for 1 year, he or she can take a road test to progress to the next level. With a “G2” driver’s license, the above restrictions are no longer in place. However, there are restrictions about the number of passengers under the age of 19 who can be in the car with the novice driver between the hours of midnight and 5:00 am. After another 12 months, the driver can take a second road test to obtain a full “G” license.
Taking driving lessons from a certified driving instructor can provide young and novice drivers with valuable knowledge and experience. The Ontario government has recognized this and a beginner driver can take the G1 road test after 8 months instead of the usual 12 months if he or she successfully completes a mandated number of hours driving with an instructor.
Our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers frequently see accidents involving young drivers that have occurred because of driver fatigue, alcohol or distracted driving (including driver’s being distracted by loud or intoxicated passengers). The strict enforcement of the graduated licensing protocols in Ontario does much to address these problems.
