On the Radar
ON THE RADAR
Collision Reporting Revision
The process for reporting collisions in Ontario just got an update. Here’s what you need to know.
ONTARIO HAS RECENTLY raised the threshold for reporting vehicle collisions — from $2,000 to $5,000 in damages. This means that unless the combined damage of all vehicles and property exceeds $5,000, you won’t need to visit a collision reporting centre (CRC) or involve the police at the scene; however, if damages do exceed $5,000, drivers involved are obligated to visit a CRC within 24 hours. While this increased threshold may simplify the process for minor incidents, it’s still important to know what steps to take after a collision. Here’s what you should do if you’re involved in a collision with damages below $5,000:
- CHECK FOR ANY INJURIES. Ensure everyone is safe. If there are any injuries, call emergency services immediately.
- DOCUMENT THE SCENE. Take photos of the vehicles, licence plates and the area where the collision occurred.
- EXCHANGE INFORMATION. Share contact and insurance details with the other driver(s) involved.
- REPORT TO YOUR INSURER. Inform your insurance provider as soon as possible to start the claims process.
- ASSESS DAMAGE. Consider getting a repair estimate to confirm whether the damage is below the $5,000 threshold.
PHOTO: MEGAFLOPP/ADOBE STOCK
Need to make a claim: We’re here for you whenever you need us. And we’ll do our very best to make it a smooth ride. You can reach the CAA Insurance Claims team at 1-877-222-1717.
ON THE RADAR
A Drive for Safer Roads
Changes to the Highway Traffic Act improve safety in Ontario.
By Sohini Bhattacharya
ON NOVEMBER 19, 2024, Bill 197, titled Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024, received Royal Assent (the final step of passing a Bill into law in Ontario; the Lieutenant Governor formally approves it by granting it Royal Assent). Through this Bill, the Government of Ontario will enact several measures intended to combat dangerous road issues, including stunt driving, driving under the influence and auto theft. Being aware of these new changes, anticipated to be effective in 2025 and 2026, will help to make our roads safer.
STUNT DRIVING
The legislation includes a requirement to apply mandatory minimum driver’s licence suspensions for all stunt driving convictions. This includes a minimum mandatory one-year licence suspension for a first conviction, three years for a second conviction and a lifetime suspension for a third conviction.
VEHICLE THEFT
A person convicted of motor vehicle theft under the Criminal Code will face a 10-year licence suspension for a first offence, a 15-year licence suspension for a second offence and a lifetime licence suspension for a third offence.
IMPAIRED DRIVING
The Bill includes stricter measures to combat impaired driving, creating more education, interventions and tougher penalties.
A conviction for impaired driving causing death will now come with a lifetime driver’s licence suspension. For infractions that don’t involve a fatality, those caught and convicted of impaired driving will be required, for a specified period of time, to install an ignition interlock device following post-conviction licence suspension. This device requires drivers to pass a breath test, prohibiting their vehicle from starting if it detects the presence of alcohol in the driver’s system in excess of permissible limits. Convicted drivers will also be given a time-limited zero-tolerance condition (meaning no alcohol or drugs in their system while driving) upon completion of all post-conviction sanctions.
Drivers caught with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 to 0.079, or who fail a standardized field sobriety test on the first occurrence will be required to undergo mandatory remedial education. For a second occurrence, drivers will be required to complete a treatment program. Drivers will also receive longer roadside licence suspensions, increasing from three days to seven days on the first occurrence and increasing from seven days to 14 days on the second occurrence.
PHOTO: NITCHAREE/ADOBE STOCK