Saving Lives Through Ontario Innovation

 
 

December 16, 2009 9:20 AM

McGuinty Government Supports Technology That Prevents Drunk Driving

Ontario is supporting the development of breakthrough technology that will help save lives and create jobs.

The province is helping Sober Steering demonstrate new technology that uses sensors mounted on steering wheels to detect alcohol and prevent people who have exceeded the legal limit from driving.

Ontario is investing close to $1.5 million through the Innovation Demonstration Fund to help Sober Steering bring its product to market. The company expects to create 10 permanent and up to 20 part-time high-skill jobs over the next five years.

The province's investment supports Ontario's Innovation Agenda, the province's plan to make innovation a driving force of Ontario's economy.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • Drinking and driving accounts for almost a quarter of all fatalities on Ontario's roads. During the past decade, more than 50,000 people were injured in collisions involving a drunk driver.
  • Currently, more than half of U.S. states have some form of legislation mandating the use of devices that prevent drinking and driving for people with drunk driving convictions.
  • Sweden has set a goal that by 2012, all new vehicles must be fitted with devices that prevent drinking and driving. Other European countries and Japan are considering similar legislation.

CONTACTS

  • Annette Phillips
    Minister's Office
    416-326-5748
    annette.phillips@nullontario.ca
  • Brigitte Marleau
    Communications Branch
    416-325-2479
    brigitte.marleau@nullontario.ca



Ministry of Research and Innovation
ontario.ca/innovation


 

"Ontario is proud to support innovative companies like Sober Steering. Their new technology and innovative thinking has tremendous potential to make roads around the world safer, while creating skilled jobs right here at home."

 – John Milloy
Minister of Research and Innovation

"Ontario has consistently been at the forefront in the fight against drunk driving, and its investment in our technology as a solution reaffirms that commitment. With Ontario's support, we can more quickly get our systems on the road in Ontario and around the world. This means that we can more quickly start saving lives, saving taxpayer dollars and creating high-tech jobs here in Ontario."

 – Dennis Bellehumeur
Founder and CEO, Sober Steering

 
 
 
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