City of Kawartha Lakes OPP – Driver Charged Under New Stunt Driving Legislation

Pete Fisher
3 years ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

(CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES, ON) – Members of the City of Kawartha Lakes Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a vehicle for excessive speed, resulting in a charge under the updated stunt driving legislation. 

On July 1, 2021, shortly before 4:00 p.m., City of Kawartha Lakes OPP officers were conducting radar patrol on Highway 35 in the Township of Ops, when they observed a motor vehicle travelling at a high-rate of speed of 137 km/h in a posted 80km/h zone.

The 59-year-old driver was charged with Stunt Driving.

The accused had their driver’s licence suspended for seven days and vehicle impounded for 14 days, an increase from the previous seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The changes form part of the Moving Ontarians More Safely (MOMS) Act, which received royal assent on June 3, 2021, and took effect July 1, 2021. 

The second change is the introduction of a lower speed threshold for street racing offenders on municipal roads. On roads with a posted speed limit of less than 80 km/h, drivers caught traveling 40 km/h over the speed limit face racing/stunt driving charges (the previous limit was 50 km/h over the speed limit). 

Aggressive driving is dangerous and a leading causal factor in fatal motor vehicle collisions on OPP-patrolled roads. Racing, stunt driving, speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes and road rage are all forms of aggressive driving that place drivers, passengers, cyclist s and pedestrians at risk. Street racing is one of the most dangerous, aggressive driving behaviours on our roads.    

Dangerous drivers can be reported to OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.