Another day and more people charged with stunt driving on Canada’s busiest highway.
Northumberland OPP Constable Kevin McAllister and Highway Safety Division Constable Chad Laperle were monitoring traffic on the Wesleyville overpass in the Municipality of Port Hope on Friday, January 18, 2020.
Numerous drivers were charged with speeding and three drivers were charged with Stunt Driving, travelling in excess of 150 kph.
Northumberland OPP Inspector Brian O’Halloran got a first hand glimpse of the two officers monitoring traffic.
“There is definitely a need for it,” said O’Halloran speaking to Today’s Northumberland.
“Most people are travelling at normal speeds and people who are travelling at excessive speeds are causing issues.”
Stunt Driving legislation has been around for over a decade and people still aren’t slowing down.
“It very much surprises me that people aren’t getting the message. It’s no different than distracted driving. These people who are speeding should know better.”
Since the start of the year, McAllister and Laperle have charged 28 drivers with Stunt Driving along Highway 401 by Wesleyville.
A driver from British Columbia who was charged on Friday said, “they’re just doing their job. You got to get the dangerous drivers off the road.”
All drivers had their vehicles impounded for seven days, driver’s license suspended for seven days and a Provincial Offences Court date. If found guilty there is a minimum fine of $2,000.
ONTARIO REGULATION 455/07
RACES, CONTESTS AND STUNTS
Consolidation Period: From September 26, 2019 to the e-Laws currency date.
Last amendment: 320/19.
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
1. Revoked: O. Reg. 406/08, s. 1.
Definition, “race” and “contest”
2. (1) For the purposes of section 172 of the Act, “race” and “contest” include any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:
1. Driving two or more motor vehicles at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed and in a manner that indicates the drivers of the motor vehicles are engaged in a competition.
2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to chase another motor vehicle.
3. Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,
i. driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed,
ii. outdistancing or attempting to outdistance one or more other motor vehicles while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed, or
iii. repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 2 (1).
(2) In this section,
“marked departure from the lawful rate of speed” means a rate of speed that may limit the ability of a driver of a motor vehicle to prudently adjust to changing circumstances on the highway. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 2 (2).
Definition, “stunt”
3. For the purposes of section 172 of the Act, “stunt” includes any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:
1. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to lift some or all of its tires from the surface of the highway, including driving a motorcycle with only one wheel in contact with the ground, but not including the use of lift axles on commercial motor vehicles.
2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to cause some or all of its tires to lose traction with the surface of the highway while turning.
3. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to spin it or cause it to circle, without maintaining control over it.
4. Driving two or more motor vehicles side by side or in proximity to each other, where one of the motor vehicles occupies a lane of traffic or other portion of the highway intended for use by oncoming traffic for a period of time that is longer than is reasonably required to pass another motor vehicle.
5. Driving a motor vehicle with a person in the trunk of the motor vehicle.
6. Driving a motor vehicle while the driver is not sitting in the driver’s seat.
7. Driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is 50 kilometres per hour or more over the speed limit.
7.1 Driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is 150 kilometres per hour or more.
8. Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,
i. driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to prevent another vehicle from passing,
ii. stopping or slowing down a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates the driver’s sole intention in stopping or slowing down is to interfere with the movement of another vehicle by cutting off its passage on the highway or to cause another vehicle to stop or slow down in circumstances where the other vehicle would not ordinarily do so,
iii. driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to drive, without justification, as close as possible to another vehicle, pedestrian or fixed object on or near the highway, or
iv. making a left turn where,
(A) the driver is stopped at an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal system in response to a circular red indication;
(B) at least one vehicle facing the opposite direction is similarly stopped in response to a circular red indication; and
(C) the driver executes the left turn immediately before or after the system shows only a circular green indication in both directions and in a manner that indicates an intention to complete or attempt to complete the left turn before the vehicle facing the opposite direction is able to proceed straight through the intersection in response to the circular green indication facing that vehicle. O. Reg. 455/07, s. 3; O. Reg. 320/19, s. 1.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
