TORONTO, April 17 /CNW/ -

     NEWS

     Ontario is raising the bar for driver training with the introduction of

new curriculum standards for Beginner Driver Education

(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/curriculum/index.shtml).

     The Ministry of Transportation partnered with the Canadian Standards

Association (http://www.csa.ca/Default.asp?language=english), which

worked with the industry to create new curriculum requirements that reflect

Ontario's high expectations for driver education, raising minimum requirements

for both in-class and in-vehicle learning.

     Beginner driver courses will place a stronger focus on improving problem

attitudes and behaviours such as aggressive driving and speeding.

     Other key improvements include:

     -   Increasing instruction time from 35 to 40 hours

     -   A new focus on learning needs of young and high-risk drivers,

         such as:

         -  Dealing with driver distraction

         -  Identifying dangerous situations and responding effectively

         -  Sharing the road with other drivers

         -  Understanding the risks of impaired driving and making

            responsible choices.

     Ontario will audit and monitor driving schools to make sure they meet the

new standards, which will be mandatory on April 17, 2009. Any new programs

approved after April 17, 2008 will have to meet these standards.

     During the 12-month transitional period, course providers may continue to

use their existing ministry-approved course curriculum.

     QUOTES

     "We want our novice drivers to learn the skills they need to stay safe on

the road. With these new Beginner Driver Education Program standards, we are

making sure our novice drivers get the best start possible," said

Transportation Minister Jim Bradley

(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/about/minister.htm).

     "Making sure Ontario's novice drivers benefit from quality driver

training is important - not only for their own safety, but for the safety of

everyone on the road," said Robert Tremblay of the Insurance Bureau of Canada

(http://www.ibc.ca/), who chaired the Beginner Driver Education Standards

Development Advisory Committee.

     "The focus on safety - especially those skills and attitudes young

drivers need to reduce their collision risk in today's driving environment -

is really what makes Ontario's program stand out," said Ontario Safety League

(http://www.osl.org/home.asp?flash=no) President Brian Patterson.

     QUICK FACTS

     -   To meet the new standards, driving schools will have until April 17,

         2009 to make the necessary changes to their course curriculum.

     -   Ontario's Beginner Driver Education program is designed to teach

         novice drivers good driving habits and keep our roads safe. Since

         2005, the McGuinty government has made a number of improvements to

         support this program, including:

         -  Regulating all schools offering Beginner Driver Education courses

         -  Creating tough new standards for driving instructors

         -  Establishing a rigorous monitoring and audit program to ensure

            schools are meeting Ontario's standards, including the use of

            "undercover shoppers"

     -   More than 100,000 students graduate from a ministry-approved Beginner

         Driver Education course each year.