Stunt Driving in Ontario – Everything You Need to Know

Exceeding the speed limit can be very dangerous in real life. In Ontario, stunt driving is increasing at an alarming rate with the law trying to put a stop to it. And rightfully so, as it endangers everyone involved in addition to anyone in the way of the driver. That’s why there are many consequences from hefty fines to potential jail time in severe cases. In this article, we go through what qualifies as stunt driving and its repercussions.

What Does Count as Stunt Driving in Ontario?

Exceeding the speed limit on a highway will get you a speeding ticket, but it doesn’t count as stunt driving. According to the Ontarian law, stunt driving is defined as the act of excessive speeding, street racing, contests and engaging in dangerous driving practices on a highway.

Stunt drivers usually modify their motor vehicles with illegal upgrades, like suspensions, high-performance motors, or style enhancements to increase performance.

The Section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario says it all:

“No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway in a race or contest while performing a stunt or on a bet or wager.”

These actions qualify as stunt driving in Ontario:

Driving 50 km/h or more over the speed limit on a road where the limit is above 80 kilometres per hour.
Driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit on a road where the limit is 80 km/hr or less.
Exceeding the speed of 150 km/h.
Causing all tires to lose traction through driving.
Tire squealing or burnouts.
Cutting off another driver or driving too closely to them on purpose.
Doing doughnuts or drifting. Trying to spin the motor vehicle.
Not allowing other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians to pass, change directions or have the right of way.
Ghost riding the whip, which means driving the vehicle not from the driver’s seat.
Driving with a person in your vehicle trunk or an extra seat,
Disregarding road conditions and driving circumstances while driving.
Popping wheelies, which is known as driving to lift your tires from the surface.
Endangering others through following too closely, careless driving without reasonable consideration or attention to others.

In some cases, stunt driving doesn’t involve drivers speeding beyond the speed limit, racing or chasing another motor vehicle. There are additional cases where you may face charges related to stunt driving, like hitting the gas heavily just as the light turns green or making a left before the other vehicles come through.

Is Stunt Driving in Ontario the Same as Street Racing?

Street racing and stunt driving are both illegal in Ontario, but they are different in definition and what they involve. Street racing is when two or more vehicles race each other on public roads to get to a destination or to go faster. This is often planned and can be spontaneous when drivers meet on the road. Street racing is high-speed driving, often over the limit and recklessly to outpace another vehicle. The competitive nature of street racing puts both participants and bystanders at risk as it often happens in urban areas or highways where there is other traffic.

What Happens If You’re Caught Stunt Driving in Ontario?

Ontario laws take stunt driving tickets very seriously because of the dangers of stunt driving. That’s why, the consequences are immediate and long-lasting. Here’s what happens when Ontario drivers are convicted of stunt driving.

Immediate Penalties

Licence Suspension: If you get a stunt driving ticket, your licence will be suspended for 30 days on the spot.
Vehicle Impoundment: Your vehicle will be impounded for 14 days, and you will be responsible for all fees, which can range from a minimum fine of $800 to $1,500, depending on towing and storage.
Fines: Fines for stunt driving are big, starting at $2,000 and up to $10,000 as a maximum fine. There’s also a 25% victim surcharge.

Court Imposed Penalties:

Licence Suspension upon Stunt Driving Conviction: If convicted, the roadside driver’s licence suspensions can be 1 to 3 years for a first offence. Repeat offenders can face much harsher suspensions – up to 10 years for a second offence and potentially a lifetime suspension for further offences.
Demerit Points: 6 demerit points will be added to your driving record.
Jail Time: In severe cases, especially for repeat offenders, they may serve a sentence of up to 6 months in jail for a stunt driving charge.

Long-Term Consequences

Insurance Impact: A conviction for stunt driving will increase your Ontario car insurance premiums. In some cases, your insurance company will cancel your policy altogether.
Stunt Driving Charges: While stunt driving is not a criminal offence, under the Highway Traffic Act, the severity of the penalties can lead to criminal charges, especially in cases of reckless endangerment.

Driver’s Licence Suspension for Stunt Driving in Ontario

Licence suspension is inevitable if a driver is convicted of stunt driving. Here are the penalties for stunt driving:

First conviction: suspension of 1 up to 3 years.
Second conviction: Suspension of 3 up to 10 years.
Third conviction: Lifetime suspension that may be reduced after some time – to be established by regulations.
Fourth and subsequent conviction: lifetime suspension.

Driver Improvement Course

When you get convicted of stunt driving in Ontario, you are required to take a Driver Improvement Course. This course educates you on safe driving practices, reinforces the importance of following traffic laws and helps you develop better driving habits to prevent future infractions. Completing the Driver Improvement Course is key to minimizing the penalties for a stunt driving conviction.

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Licence Reinstatement

After the mandatory licence suspension, you may be required to take the course to get your licence back.

Reduction of Recidivism

By educating drivers on the risks and consequences of stunt driving, the course will reduce the chances of repeat offences, which can lead to even harsher penalties including longer suspensions and potentially a lifetime ban for multiple convictions.

Insurance Rates

Although your insurance will increase after a stunt driving conviction, completing the Driver Improvement Course may be viewed favourably by insurance companies and could result in a lesser increase than otherwise expected.

What are the Ontario Stunt Driving Statistics?

Stunt driving in Ontario is becoming a big problem, with the numbers showing an alarming increase in careless driving. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of roadside driver’s licence suspensions for street racing and stunt driving increased by 130%, according to the Ontario Driver Annual Statistics.

And it’s continued to rise post-pandemic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid 1,050 stunt driving charges between July 1 and September 1, 2021, with a high concentration in the Greater Toronto Area.

The OPP also notes that younger drivers are getting charged with stunt driving despite the severe penalties. These numbers show the authorities are having a hard time stopping reckless driving province-wide. The rise in stunt driving incidents has prompted the Ontario government to implement stricter laws and penalties

Why Stunt Driving is Dangerous

Stunt driving in Ontario is deadly, and the numbers are staggering. According to the OPP, 2022 was the deadliest year on Ontario roads since 2012. Driver inattention and impaired driving were the top two causes. 27 people died from speeding alone in the first few months of the year.

The statistics say it all; drivers are still putting themselves and others in harm’s way. Here are some of the risks of stunt driving:

Public Safety Threat

The speeding, reckless maneuvers, and difficulty maintaining control over the motor vehicle can all lead to car accidents and speed-related collisions. These accidents are often intense, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities to drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. In some cases, there may be collateral damage if a secondary collision causes damage to other vehicles and more people.

Even in areas with no immediate traffic, stunt driving endangers public safety by creating hazardous road conditions that others may encounter.

Strain on Resources and Emergency Services

These accidents caused by stunt driving may place a strain on emergency services, diverting them from other critical areas and delaying their response to other incidents.

Bad Influence on Younger Drivers

Younger and less experienced drivers might think stunt driving is cool and feel encouraged to copy others and try it. They are especially at a greater risk of attempting stunt driving because their lack of experience makes them underestimate the risks of dangerous driving.

Readmore: A Full Guide to Temporary Car Insurance Ontario

Stunt Driving in Ontario – Wrapping Up

Stunt driving is extremely dangerous and harmful to the drivers speeding and others as well. That’s why the Ontarian law imposes strict regulations against it and establishes penalties for stunt driving, including steep fines, long-term licence suspension, and an obligatory driving course. The goal behind these strict rules is to keep the road safe for everyone and reduce accidents and casualties. Knowing what qualifies as stunt driving helps you as a driver avoid doing such dangerous activities and stay on the right side of the law, keeping yourself and everyone safe.

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