SGI has released that people found to be street stunting and racing will be facing harsher fines as of October first.
“Reckless and unsafe driving behaviours like street racing and stunting are a growing concern,” says Minister Responsible for SGI Don Morgan. “These risky choices can have serious and often life-threatening consequences, and the penalties need to appropriately address them.”
A ticket for stunting in a vehicle was originally issued for $150. For street racing, tickets usually cost $205.
“The cost of the ticket for both stunting and street racing which are two separate defenses in the Traffic Safety Act, the cost of the tickets are going up significantly. In both cases, the defense will cost you $580,” says Tyler McMurchy, spokesperson for SGI.
For street racing, the ticket costs escalate for repeat offenses within a one-year period. Tickets will cost $1,400 for a second offense and $2,100 for a third.
All offenses also include four demerit points.
These offenses will also result in vehicle impoundment. Even before the new penalties, a ticket for street racing resulted in an immediate 30-day vehicle impoundment, while repeat offenses for stunting resulted in a three-day impoundment.
However, more advancements in penalties are yet to come after this new legislation is implemented on October first.
The second phase of the legislation change, which will take effect at a later date, will implement both 30-day vehicle impoundments as well as immediate seven-day license suspensions for stunting, racing, and exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h or by more than double the posted limit.
McMurchy explains some acts that are accusable for these defenses, “Attempting to lift all or some of the tires from the roadway, attempting to spin a vehicle, driving a vehicle while not sitting in the driver’s seat, or driving a vehicle with somebody riding in the trunk. Things like that.”
These acts fell within the definitions for stunting and racing according to the Traffic Safety Act (TSA), which has now been updated.
The updated language in the TSA addresses some of the following behaviours:
For Racing:
• Racing side by side with another vehicle while disobeying the speed limit.
• Chasing another vehicle.
• Speeding in and out of lanes to unsafely pass vehicles.
• Driving at a speed that is a marked departure from the speed limit.
For Stunting:
• Attempting to lift some or all tires from the roadway (including driving a motorcycle on one wheel).
• Attempting to spin a vehicle to cause it to spin or circle.
• Driving in the oncoming lane longer than is needed to pass.
• Driving a vehicle in a way that prevents another vehicle from passing.
• Stopping or slowing down to interfere with the movement of another vehicle.
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