"Bikers Against Bill 117

[roadrash5]

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bikersagainstbill117?e

I am writing to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts regarding my Private Member’s Bill, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Child Passengers on Motorcycles) 2008.



As you know, Bill 117, if passed, would amend the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit driving or operating a motorcycle on a highway while a person under the age of 14 is a passenger on the motorcycle, with a view to promoting safety on Ontario’s roads and protecting youth from preventable injuries.



This initiative would promote safety on Ontario roads and help protect youth from preventable injuries. The research is alarming:



According to Ontario MTO’s Road Safety Reports, a total of 199 motorcycle passengers between the ages of 0-15 sustained an injury in the years 1995-2005. 12 of these were between the ages of 0-4, 54 were between the ages of 5-9 and 133 were between the ages of 10-15.



According to Smart Risk, in the fiscal year 2005-2006, 856 people were hospitalized in Ontario due to motorcycle related injuries. Of those, eight were aged 5-9 and 38 were between the ages of 10 and 14.



According to Transport Canada, in 2006, 54 motorcycle passengers (between the ages 0-14) were seriously injured, across Canada. Four of these were between 0-4 years of age; and, 50 of these were between 5-14 years of age.



In the USA, four states have age-related laws and this would be the first law of its type in Canada.



Second Reading is scheduled for December 4, 2008, and will be debated in the Legislature at that time.



Yours sincerely,



Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP,

Oak Ridges-Markham

137 Main Street North

Markham, Ontario L3P 1Y2

905-294-4931 or 1-866-531-9551