Members of the of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the West Region laid over 750 charges during the Drive Smart-Keep it Safe traffic safety campaign, which ran throughout southwestern Ontario.
Between Monday, September 23, and Sunday, September 29, officers stopped 1,967 vehicles. Of those, 26 were for stunt driving.
Drivers who are involved in stunt driving or street racing are subject to:
- an immediate 30-day driver’s licence suspension
- an immediate 14-day vehicle impoundment at roadside (whether it is your vehicle or not)
- a minimum fine of $2,000 and a maximum fine of $10,000
- a jail term of up to six months
- a post-conviction licence suspension of:
- a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years for the first conviction
- a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10 years for a second conviction
- a lifetime suspension, reducible after 10 years under certain criteria, for a third conviction
- a lifetime suspension, non-reducible, for a fourth and subsequent convictions
- six demerit points
- a mandatory driver improvement course, upon conviction
Officers also stopped and charged 86 drivers of modified vehicles, along with 597 operators for speed offences and 76 for Criminal Code traffic related charges.
“Together, through ‘The Drive Smart: Keep it Safe’ traffic safety campaign, we’ve reinforced the fact that safe driving is not just a suggestion, but a responsibility we all share. Let’s continue to put public safety first by saying no to speeding, stunt driving, and unsafe vehicle modifications,” said Inspector Mike McConnell, West Region Traffic Safety and Marine.
