The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has lauded the Ontario government for the passage of new legislation that addresses road safety and auto insurance fraud issues in the province.
The Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021 (MOMS Act) was introduced on April 26, with overwhelming support from members of the legislature. The legislation increases the penalties laid against drivers caught engaging in illegal street racing or stunt driving, introduces automated camera enforcement framework to allow photo evidence of violating drivers, clarifies dimensional limits for trailers and helps to establish new guidelines for the towing and vehicle storage industries, among other changes.
IBC praised the Ontario government for introducing the new law in a statement.
“IBC commends the government and members of the Ontario Legislature that helped pass this legislation in record time. The MOMS Act will make roads and highways safer for drivers and tackle the rampant fraud that has driven up their auto insurance rates,” said IBC Ontario vice president Kim Donaldson.
Donaldson added that dangerous driving has no place on Ontario’s roads, since it endangers innocent drivers and pedestrians alike. Therefore, IBC is thankful that the MOMS Act will introduce stiffer fines and increased penalties for dangerous drivers, the vice president said.
The MOMS Act is also the Ontario government’s way of delivering on its commitment to establish oversight of the vehicle towing and storage industry, Donaldson noted.
“IBC and its members have long advocated for much-needed reforms in the vehicle towing and storage industry and have been working with the government and other stakeholders as part of the Towing Technical Advisory Group,” he said. “We congratulate the government for listening and taking this bold action for the benefit of drivers in the province.”
