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‘Choices need consequences’: Ontario toughens penalties for dangerous driving causing death

Posted:November 25, 2025 | 8:47 AM
By:Matt Ingram

Updated: November 26, 2025 | 10:50 AM

The Ontario government is stiffening penalties for dangerous driving with new legislation that promises a lifetime driving ban for anyone convicted of dangerous driving causing death.

Opposition parties say they support the move but point out this is coming from the same government that just banned speed cameras.

Jordan Cristillo is the brother of Andrew Cristillo. Jordan says his brother’s death will haunt the family forever.

Though, a slew of proposed changes to toughen penalties for dangerous driving means other families may not suffer the same fate.

“Everyday is a nightmare, when you make these choices the result of that could be an empty chair at a dinning table for life,” Jordan said. “Choices need consequences and what I’m seeing proposed here delivers real consequences.”

The 35-year-old father of three was killed in a head-on crash in August in Stouffville, Ont.

An 18-year-old driver was charged with dangerous driving causing death among other charges. The accused was actually awaiting a court date on other stunt and dangerous driving charges at the time of the crash.

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the Cristillo family’s loss “should never have happened.”

Some of the new legislation called “Andrew’s Law,” includes:

Immediate 90-day roadside suspensions and seven-day impounding of a vehicle if police believe someone is driving dangerously;
A lifetime driving ban for anyone convicted of dangerous driving causing death;
Imposing a lifelong driving ban for anyone found guilty of dangerous driving causing death;
Allow police officers to suspend drivers’ licenses for 90-days and impound vehicles if they have reason to believe an incident of dangerous driving had occurred; and
Other new types of license suspensions.

Premier Doug Ford said when you take a father away from their children, his wife and his family “they’re going to be held accountable.”

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said “dangerous driving is a real problem in the province of Ontario and we have to do something.”

Liberal parliamentary leader John Fraser also showed his support for Andrew’s Law.

“I think that our job here is public safety,” Fraser said. “The everyday risk to people of speeding has kind of made it worse. He has made it worse by eliminating automated speed cameras.”

Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner says he supports any legislation that will make streets safer.

“It’s a bit rich coming from a government who just removed the ability of municipalities to have speed cameras in place,” Schreiner said.

Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s transport minister, defended the choice to ban speed cameras while also introducing this new legislation.

“That’s what we’ve been focused on,” Sarkaria said. “Proactive versus reactive in that approach.”

The legislation doesn’t include a recent Ford government promise to make impaired drivers who cause the death of a parent or guardian to be responsible for financial support of the victims’ children.

Attorney General Doug Downey says the government is still exploring the idea.

The legislation comes as police services are gearing up to protect against a specific type of dangerous behaviour on the roads – impaired driving.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said impaired driving charges have gone up considerably.

“We’re up to well over 11,000 impaired driving charges that we have laid already this year,” Schmidt said. “Compared to just under 9,000 a few years ago.”

As the festive R.I.D.E check season begins, OPP say charges have increased over the last few years along with the number of checks conducted by police.

Provincial police launched their campaign Friday. Hamilton police are set to launch their effort Wednesday.