Ontario is cracking down on some of the most persistent, dangerous driving behaviors.Effective January 1, 2010, penalties for the following offences will increase:

• failure to stop at a red light – the maximum fine will increase from $500 to $1,000

• failure to wear a seat belt and failure to ensure passengers under 16 are properly secured – the maximum fine will increase from $500 to $1,000

• careless driving and failure to remain at the scene of a collision – the maximum fine will increase from $1,000 to $2,000.  Other existing maximum penalties for these offences will remain, including a two-year licence suspension and six-month jail term.

Penalties for drivers who do not pull over and stop for emergency vehicles or who follow fire vehicles too closely will undergo the greatest change:

• first offence: a maximum fine of $2,000, three demerit points plus a possible two-year licence suspension — up from the current maximum penalty of a $500 fine.

• subsequent offences (within five years): a maximum fine of $4,000 fine, three demerit points, a two-year driver’s licence suspension and a six-month prison sentence – up from the current maximum penalty of a $500 fine.