Parents of Dead Girl Lead March Against Speeding As Quebec Eyes Road Safety
Posted on: Sunday, 11 November 2007, 21:00 CST
By Fannie Olivier, THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL - The parents of a little girl struck dead by a car as she played in her babysitter's front lawn led a march Sunday to protest speeding on Quebec roads.
The demonstration unfolded hours before Quebec's transport minister announced a series of measures intended to improve road safety in the province.
Nadine Leduc and Sebastien Lariviere were joined by a couple hundred Quebecers in L'Ile-Perrot, near Montreal, 11 days after the death of Bianca Leduc.
The three-year-old girl was mowed down by a car while playing among Halloween decorations on her babysitter's lawn.
Brandon Pardi, 18, and a 17-year-old youth are facing charges of criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
March organizer Johanne McIntyre says ordinary citizens must pressure government and drivers to make roads safer.
"We have to do whatever we can to make our children safer on the roads, and for all... citizens," said McIntyre.
"We want to wake up politicians."
Later in the day, Quebec Transport Minister Julie Boulet announced the province is taking steps to make roads safer.
The new legislation will double fines for extreme speeders. For example, a driver rolling at 96 km/h in a 50 zone would pay $480 and be assessed double the current number of five demerit points.
The government also intends to pursue a photo radar pilot project in 15 locations.
"What we want is not to trap drivers, but to save human lives," Boulet said.
Quebec will also ban drivers from using cellphones, unless they have hands-free units.
In addition, the province will introduce a 24-hour licence suspension for drivers who are over a .05 limit of blood alcohol level, bringing Quebec in line with most other provinces.
Criminal sanctions will be boosted for drivers who exceed .08, including a 90-day suspension to replace the current 30 days.
Boulet also announced mandatory speed limiters for heavy vehicles, to ensure they do not exceed 105 km/h.
She said the new measures will be tabled Wednesday and could be adopted by the legislature before Christmas.
Source: Canadian Press
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