Racers and speed demons will have to beware now that Ontario has tightened penalties for stunt drivers.
According to the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, which took effect on Thursday, drivers could face stiffer penalties if they are caught racing or driving at high rates of speed.
Now, if you are caught driving 40 kilometres-per-hour over the speed limit if the limit is less than 80 kilometres-per-hour, you can be charged with stunt driving. Previously, the threshold for a stunt driving charge was a clocked speed of at least 50 kilometres-per-hour over the speed limit.
The penalty remains the same for provincial or federal highways in Ontario with a speed limit of 80 kilometres-per-hour or higher.
Your vehicle can also be impounded on the spot for 14 days, up from seven, and your driver's licence will be suspended for 30 days.
Escalating penalties will be increased as well for drivers convicted of stunt driving or racing. For a first offence, a driver's licence will be suspended one to three years and three to ten years for a second offence. For a third offence, a lifetime suspension which may be reduced by future regulation, followed by a lifetime suspension for a fourth offence.
The Act also includes camera enforcement to catch drivers who illegally pass streetcars, a change in how collision data is collected to reflect incidents where car doors hit scooters or bicyclists. MTO enforcement officers are also authorized to close a road and direct traffic during road emergencies.
The complete Act can be found on the Government of Ontario's official website.
