Andrew’s Law: Ontario’s Crackdown on Dangerous Driving — What Victims and Legal Practitioners Need to Know

December 01, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Ontario’s roads have seen a troubling rise in serious accidents linked to dangerous and stunt driving. Responding to these concerns and the tragic loss of Andrew Cristillo, the province is set to introduce Andrew’s Law. The new legislation proposes some of the strictest measures ever enacted for dangerous driving offenders. Alongside broad legal impacts, the law underscores the critical steps that victims and their counsel should take in the aftermath of a serious collision.

Key Changes Under Andrew’s Law

The government’s proposal introduces:

• Lifetime driving bans for anyone convicted of dangerous driving causing death.
• 90-day immediate roadside licence suspensions for drivers believed to be operating dangerously.
• Significantly higher fines for dangerous and stunt driving offences.

Andrew’s Law is a direct response to public concern and advocacy, aimed at saving lives, deterring reckless behaviour, and supporting victims and their families.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Dangerous Driving

Anyone who has been injured in a dangerous driving accident should act quickly and strategically to preserve rights and maximize recovery. Here are the crucial steps in the immediate aftermath:

• Call 911 and Ensure Safety: Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe and alert authorities. Police attending the scene will create a formal report, vital for both criminal investigation and civil claims. If there are injuries, prioritize medical safety and do not move anyone unless necessary.
• Document the Scene: Exchange driver and insurance information, collect witness contacts, and take photos or video of vehicles, hazards, and road conditions. This evidence may be decisive in a liability claim or lawsuit.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries appear minor, seek prompt evaluation. Document all symptoms, treatments, and medical visits, as some injuries (like concussions or whiplash) evolve over time and require specialist care.
• Report to Insurance and Authorities: Notify your insurer as soon as possible—Ontario law typically requires a report within seven days. If injuries or severe damage occurred, you must also report to the police and may need to visit a collision reporting centre within 24 hours.
• Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer: A lawyer can secure important evidence, manage benefits applications, and advise on interacting with insurers and authorities. Early legal advice is key to protecting your rights and compensation.

Common mistakes to avoid: Do not admit fault, do not decline medical assessment, and do not delay contacting authorities, no matter how “minor” the crash seems.

Implications for Civil Litigation in Ontario

Andrew’s Law may intensify the interplay between criminal penalties and civil claims, with fresh significance for legal practitioners on both sides.

Plaintiff Guidance

• Do:
  • Obtain police and roadside suspension records as part of discovery – new immediate suspension powers may yield crucial evidence.
  • Advise clients to preserve all potential evidence, including dashcam footage, medical documentation, and communications with insurers.
  • Counsel on the relationship between the criminal case (dangerous driving charges) and any civil actions – convictions may bolster claims for aggravated or punitive damages.
• Don’t:
  • Assume a criminal charge alone proves negligence on a balance of probabilities; the civil burden remains distinct.
  • Miss deadlines for insurance notification or limitation periods for suing at-fault drivers.

Evidentiary, Privacy, and Litigation Planning Insights

Evidence Collection and Authentication

• Secure all police and medical records as early as possible.
• Authenticate digital evidence (video, telematics, social media) in line with the Ontario Evidence Act and Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Seek court orders if at-fault parties refuse to produce in-vehicle or mobile data.

Privacy & Ethics

• Never access personal devices or accounts without consent or proper judicial process.
• Instruct clients not to destroy, alter, or suppress relevant evidence.

Broader Policy and Safety Takeaways

Andrew’s Law, with its lifetime bans and roadside suspensions, signals Ontario’s commitment to road safety and personal accountability. Legal professionals and accident victims alike must adapt as the legislative and evidentiary landscape evolves. Early evidence collection, medical care, and experienced legal guidance can make a significant difference to both short-term recovery and long-term outcomes for victims of dangerous driving.

If a dangerous driver in Ontario injures you or a family member, act quickly and seek qualified legal support. Your rights, recovery, and access to rightful compensation may depend on the steps you take in the hours and days after the crash.

For questions or help, contact Deutschmann de Koning Law—advocating for safe roads and fair outcomes for our community. We are here to help you.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.