What Are The Consequences of Stunt Driving?

You might want to think twice before you engage in stunt driving in Ontario. While stunt driving is not a criminal offence, it is illegal. It is also extremely dangerous and poses risks to yourself and other road users. 
Stunt driving can either earn you demerit points, motor vehicle impoundment, jail time, fines or even license suspension. It can also affect your automobile insurance negatively and lead to an increase in your insurance rates. Here’s everything to know about stunt driving laws in Ontario and how to navigate the charges.

What is considered stunt driving in Ontario?

Stunt driving is driving in a manner of race or contest while making bets or stunts. The Highway Traffic Act in Ontario constitutes the following as a stunt:

• Speeding over 40km/h if the posted speed limit is below 80km/h
• Speeding over 50km/h if the posted speed limit is over 80km/h
• Attempting to turn left at an intersection without allowing oncoming traffic from the opposite direction to pass first
• Driving without giving attention to other road users or driving without due care
• Passing other vehicles at a speed higher than the stated speed limit
• Chasing other motor vehicles
• Driving at a speed that may limit the ability to adjust to circumstances on the highway
• Distancing yourself with other vehicles and accelerating rapidly
• Burnouts, tire squealing or driving to cause tires to lose traction
• Driving to lift some tires off the surface or spinning
• Driving a car while not seated on the driver’s seat

What are the penalties for stunt driving in Ontario?

Penalties for stunt driving in Ontario vary. As per the Highway Traffic Act, penalties for stunt driving include:

• 6 demerit points
• Motor vehicle impoundment (immediate) for 14 days
• Jail time of up to 6 months
• Fines- These can range between $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the intensity of the stunt driving charges. Also, a 25% victim surcharge may apply for the first time.
• License suspension (immediate) for 30 days
• If convicted, the driver’s license may be suspended for 1-3 years for the initial stunt driving offence. A subsequent stunt driving conviction may see the license suspended for up to 10 years while a third and repeat stunt driving offences may see the license suspended permanently.

Apart from these charges, you may incur extra costs that you must cover if charged with stunt driving. For instance, you may need to pay legal legislation costs, impound or towing fees, an increase on your auto insurance, costs to get your driving license reinstated and even lost income.

What factors determine penalties against stunt driving in Ontario?

Various factors determine the penalty charges for stunt driving. Some of these include:

• The speed- The higher the stunt driving speed, the more severe the penalty. For instance, the penalty charges for someone who exceeds the speed limits can not be similar to that of someone who distances themselves from other vehicles and accelerates rapidly. For more information, you can check out our post about how much does a speeding ticket increase insurance in Ontario. 
• Previous convictions- As we have mentioned, your license may be suspended for 1-3 years for the initial stunt driving offence. If involved in a repeat stunt driving offence, your license may be suspended for up to 10 years while a third and repeat stunt driving offence may see the license suspended permanently. Also, if your driving record is marred with reckless driving and other road offences, your penalty will be more severe compared to that charged on a first-time offence.
• If an accident occurred due to stunt driving- If anyone was hurt or killed as a result of the stunt driving, then expect more severe penalties.
• Interactions with the police officers- Most often reckless drivers engage in stunt driving intentionally and are often involved in confrontations with the police officers. Some even try to evade arrest or even speed up when flagged down. Confrontational actions with the police officers will only make the penalties harsher.
• The timing of the accident and where it occurred- Some locations attract harsher penalties. For instance, stunt driving near a school or in a residential area will be treated harshly by the authorities. This is because such areas pose higher risks to other road users, more so to children.

What should you do if you are charged with stunt driving?

Ensure that you get your driving license reinstated. However, you will need to pay the license reinstatement fee.
Try to recover your motor vehicle as soon as possible. This will help you avoid extra storage fees or towing expenses.
Do not use your vehicle after getting a court invitation for stunt driving. You can either hire a stunt driving lawyer or attend the court in person. The ‘set date hearing’ is a court date that determines whether the driver can either plead guilty or not guilty for the charges laid out. If the driver pleads guilty, the penalties set for the offence will be given to the driver. If the driver pleads not guilty, the court will be adjourned to another date.
Fighting stunt driving charges can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive. A mistake in the process can lead to a harsher conviction. While it is important to get legal representation to fight the stunt driving charges, you can also do it yourself.

Here are some tips on how to navigate stunt-driving charges without legal help

• Be ready to show proof that your license has been reinstated for the negotiations
• Have all the documents required for the case ready
• Ensure you appear for the court sessions in person without fail
• Prepare questions for the witnesses and police officers before trial.

Do stunt driving charges impact your insurance?

Yes. If you are convicted of stunt driving, you are likely to see a significant increase in your insurance rates. Even worse, your insurer can drop you from their policies. For younger persons below the age of 25, the insurance rates may even be higher. You may not notice an increase in the insurance right away. However, it will be evident when renewing your policy. You can also check out this post on how demerit points affects car insurace rates. 
As we have seen, stunt driving not only poses a risk to yourself and other road users. What may seem like a small mistake may cost you lots of time, endless court costs and may even force you to dig deeper in your pockets to sort the mess. While accidents can happen, observing all the road rules and respecting the rights of other road users will help you avoid stunt driving charges.