It appears the recent tragic traffic accident in Muskoka, which cost the lives of three young men, is prompting action from the provincial government.

And Oak Ridges — Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek said she had already been thinking along those lines.

Premier Dalton McGuinty was quoted last month wondering if enough was being done to ensure road safety, as was Transportation Minister Jim Bradley, who said he was seeking input from various organizations on what should be done. There was also discussion about imposing further restrictions on young drivers.

Jaczek said she has been working on a private members' bill dealing with the issue, adding she's been talking to people in the insurance industry who have expressed concerns with kids joy riding, with or without alcohol. She added the bill she has been working on would limit the number of young people allowed in a car.

Jaczek said she's been asked by the government to put it on hold for now. "It was obvious a number of people were thinking along the same lines," she remarked.

She said the graduated licensing program, which has been in effect for more than a decade, has been successful, and tightening the restrictions it calls for would be something she's interested in. "I think this would be another step of ensuring safety," she remarked.

Jaczek couldn't say exactly what provisions the government is planning.

"The government has come to the decision that it's the right thing to do," she commented. "I'm always looking for something where there's a health and safety angle."

York — Simcoe MPP Julia Munro said she's always been a supporter of graduated licences, but she added there comes a point when the people holding the licences have to take the responsibility. "It's sometimes very difficult to protect people from themselves," she observed.

Munro added the graduated system and driver education is designed to help people make decision, and she wondered if changing that was going to do any good.

"Is it going to make somebody think differently in a similar set of circumstances?" she asked.