Ontario’s Proposed Lifetime Driving Bans: What Windsor Residents Need to Know About “Andrew’s Law”

The roads of Essex County have seen too much tragedy in recent years. From the high-speed corridors of the E.C. Row Expressway to the dense intersections of downtown Windsor, the consequences of reckless driving are often fatal. In a significant move to curb this trend, the Ontario government announced a strict new legislative proposal on November 25, 2025. Dubbed “Andrew’s Law,” this legislation promises to impose lifetime driving bans on individuals convicted of dangerous driving causing death.

For the community in Windsor—and particularly for families who have lost loved ones to vehicular negligence—this announcement marks a pivotal shift in how the province handles road safety. However, while tougher criminal penalties provide a sense of justice, they do not automatically resolve the financial and emotional chaos left in the wake of a fatal accident.

At The Law Offices of Paciocco and Mellow, we specialize in guiding families through the complex intersection of criminal proceedings and civil liability. Understanding what these proposed changes mean for your legal rights is the first step toward securing the future your family deserves.

Understanding “Andrew’s Law”: A New Standard for Accountability

The proposed legislation comes in response to the heartbreaking death of Andrew Cristillo, a 35-year-old father killed in August 2025 by a driver who was already facing charges for dangerous driving. The public outcry following this incident, led by the Cristillo family, pushed the Ford government to introduce these sweeping measures.

Lifetime Bans for Dangerous Driving Causing Death

Historically, lifetime driving bans were largely reserved for the most egregious repeat offenders or severe impaired driving cases. Under the new proposal, a first-time conviction for dangerous driving causing death could result in a permanent revocation of driving privileges. This aligns the penalties for “dangerous” driving more closely with those for “impaired” driving, acknowledging that a sober driver behaving recklessly is just as lethal as an intoxicated one.

Immediate Roadside Suspensions

Perhaps the most immediate change for Windsor drivers is the expansion of police powers. Officers will seemingly be granted the authority to issue an immediate 90-day administrative licence suspension if they have reasonable grounds to believe a person is driving dangerously.

• Previously: Police could charge a driver, but the licence suspension often waited until a court conviction.

• Proposed: The suspension is immediate, removing the threat from the road instantly.

• Impoundment: Vehicles may be impounded for 14 days (first offence) to 60 days (subsequent offences), drastically increasing the immediate cost of reckless behaviour.

For commercial hubs like Windsor, which sees heavy truck traffic via the Ambassador Bridge, the bill also proposes stricter fines for commercial drivers who tamper with speed limiters—a critical safety issue on Highway 401.

The Disconnect Between Criminal Justice and Civil Compensation

It is a common misunderstanding that criminal punishment equals victim compensation. When a driver is convicted under “Andrew’s Law” and banned for life, the criminal justice system has done its job to punish the offender. However, this process does not provide a single dollar to the grieving family.

The criminal court focuses on the accused. The civil court focuses on the victim.

If you have lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, you must initiate a separate civil action to recover damages. This is known as a wrongful death claim. The lifetime ban serves as powerful evidence of liability in your civil case, but it requires a skilled Windsor personal injury lawyer to translate that criminal conviction into the financial support your family needs.

Navigating Wrongful Death Claims in Ontario

In Ontario, the Family Law Act allows specific family members—spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, and siblings—to sue for the loss of their loved one. These claims are complex and require a deep understanding of both the law and the specific dynamics of the accident.

What Can Be Claimed?

While no amount of money can replace a family member, the law provides compensation for:

1. Loss of Guidance, Care, and Companionship: A monetary award acknowledging the emotional loss of the relationship.

2. Loss of Financial Support: If the deceased was a primary income earner, we calculate the future income they would have provided to the household.

3. Loss of Household Services: The value of the work the deceased did around the home, from childcare to home maintenance.

4. Funeral and Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Reimbursement for all costs related to the funeral and immediate aftermath.

At Paciocco and Mellow, we work with actuaries and financial experts to accurately project these losses over the long term, ensuring families are not left financially vulnerable years down the road.

The Impact on Motorcycle and Pedestrian Accidents

This legislation is particularly relevant for vulnerable road users. As we noted in our recent discussion on motorcycle hit-and-run accidents, riders and pedestrians are disproportionately killed by dangerous driving behaviours like speeding, stunt driving, and distracted driving.

The Dougall Avenue hit-and-run incident in September 2025 is a stark reminder of why these laws are necessary. In cases where a driver flees or causes death through extreme negligence, the new “Andrew’s Law” ensures they may never drive again. For the victim’s family, this provides a measure of closure.

However, these high-stakes criminal cases can complicate the civil timeline. Insurance companies may delay settling the civil claim while waiting for the criminal trial to conclude. An experienced Windsor accident lawyer knows how to keep the civil claim moving forward, gathering independent evidence—such as surveillance footage and witness statements—regardless of the criminal court’s pace.

Why “No-Fault” Benefits Still Matter

Even in cases of criminal dangerous driving, the victim’s family is entitled to immediate support through the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).

• Death Benefits: A lump sum payment to the spouse and dependants.

• Funeral Benefits: Coverage for funeral expenses (typically up to $6,000, though optional benefits may increase this).

• Grief Counselling: Coverage for psychological therapy for surviving family members.

These benefits are available regardless of whether the at-fault driver is convicted or banned. Our team ensures that these immediate funds are released promptly to help cover urgent costs while we build the larger lawsuit against the negligent driver.

Why Choose Paciocco and Mellow?

When the stakes are highest, you need representation that combines legal aggression with genuine compassion. Gino Paciocco and Jeffrey Mellow have spent decades fighting for injury victims in Windsor, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia.

We Win Because We Care

We do not view our clients as file numbers. We see neighbours, community members, and families who have had their lives turned upside down. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

We understand the specific tactics defence lawyers use in wrongful death cases. They may attempt to argue “contributory negligence” to reduce the payout, even when their client is facing a lifetime driving ban. We counter these tactics with forensic evidence and unwavering advocacy.

Ontario’s Proposed Lifetime Driving Bans

The introduction of “Andrew’s Law” and the proposal for lifetime driving bans signal a new era of road safety in Ontario. It is a stern warning to reckless drivers: the privilege of driving is not absolute.

For victims and their families, this legislation offers hope that justice will be served. But justice is two-fold. While the province handles the penalization of the offender, The Law Offices of Paciocco and Mellow are here to secure the protection of your future.

If you have lost a loved one or suffered a catastrophic injury due to dangerous driving, do not face the legal system alone.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us fight for the justice you deserve.