STUNT DRIVING TICKET

STUNT DRIVING TICKET

Stunt driving is an act of driving at more than 50 km per hour over the maximum speed limit. The practice goes hand in hand with racing driving ticket, as the case may be – if a driver is caught trying to over speed another vehicle. The stunt driving ticket can also be applicable in circumstances whereby a driver is found guilty of performing stunts, squealing your tires or doing a dangerous maneuver on the road.

Stunt driving (contest) was added to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario in 2007 to reduce the rate at which drivers involve in over speeding and racing which often time result accident. Stunt driving has been recorded as one of the most common driving violations in Canada which cause accidents. It is not a criminal offense, but it can send you to jail. It also attracts fines, demerit points, increase in insurance rate, suspension of drivers’ license, etc. The penalty varies to the severity of the offense committed by the driver. However, a seven-day roadside suspension is certain.

What Is Speed Limit?

Because of the frequent occurrence of the word “speed limit” in this article – it is important we define what speed limit means and also do a summary of the speed limit in Canada. A speed limit is the maximum speed level a vehicle is legally permitted to move on the road. This, in most cases, varies to the type of road and location.

In Canada, the speed limit divers from one level of government to another, and it is often known through the type of government the road falls under. It could be either Federal, Province or the Municipal. However, the highest speed limit in Canada is 100 or 110Km/h. The statutory speed limits are 80 km/h in rural areas and 50 km/h in urban areas. While the statutory limit for school zone is 30 to 40 km/h in urban areas and 50km/h in rural areas.

Common Stunt Driving Or Racing Acts

To help you avoid being charged with stunt driving or racing ticket, it is important you know the stunt driving actions that can cost you a seven-day roadside suspension and vehicle impoundment. We at traffictickseperts.com have taken our time to research the types of the stunt driving (contest) ticket and also give a detailed explanation.

Exceeding the posted speed limit by 50 km per hour. Over speeding at 50 km beyond the posted speed limit.

Chasing another vehicle: while we all love the racing adventures we see in movies or games, especially American movies. This shouldn’t be practice on the road.

Driving recklessly without consideration of other moving vehicles or driver: You might be charged with stunt ticket if you are guilty of driving without reasonable consideration of other moving vehicles.

Driving while not sitting on the driver’s seat: Driving a vehicle while not sitting on the driver’s seat can make you a convict of stunt driving. This includes controlling the vehicle steering, moving the gear, pressing the turtle, clutch, etc. while not sitting on the driver’s seat.

Frequent changing of lanes: There is no crime in changing lanes when driving, so far you on the signal light and you do it at the appropriate place. But repeatedly changing of lines when uncalled for will attract Stunt driving ticket.

Driving too close to pedestrians: There is always a white line at some inches to the Zebra crossing, where drivers are compelled to wait. Driving beyond the line before stopping will attract a racing driving charge.

Driving too close to another vehicle: It is important for drivers to maintain at least two seconds driving distance behind any vehicle that is directly in front of their car. Violating this rule might attract stunt driving.

Squealing your tires while driving: permit me to remind you that the road is not a showground where you perform all sort of stunts. Lifting your tires or any other stunts attract a stunt driving or contest ticket.

Carrying passenger(s) in your car trunk: You might be too wise to create an extra seat in your car trunk because you are out of seats. I would advise you to think twice before you do it because this also attracts a stunt ticket.

Driving two or more vehicles side by side: The concept of twins driving is not permitted while driving. Driving two more vehicle side by side will attract stunt driving ticket.

Stopping or slowing down to disturb the traffic: Drivers caught trying to disrupt the movement of other vehicles by deliberately stopping or slowing down will be charged stunt driving (contest) ticket.

Why Stunt Driving Ticket

STUNT DRIVING TICKET

The stunt driving ticket was introduced to check drivers’ speed on the highway and to apply some discipline to the driver’s actions while driving. Stunt driving or racing is a dangerous driving act that can affect many people on the highway, including the driver and even his passenger.

For better understanding, over speeding is a driving violation which is punishable under the Ontario Ministry of transportation law, and speed as much as 50 km/ h more than the posted speed limit for the road is a serious transgression of the traffic law.

Even an act of racing or chasing another vehicle on the road is dangerous and can be classified under dangerous and reckless driving. Drivers who do this don’t consider

others on the highway, an act that can cost many lives at a go. There are many car racing tracks and pack where you can exhibit your driving speeds and stunt and not affect others on the road.

One of our clients who was charged for stunt driving by carrying one of his friends in his car trunk told us there was no more seat and he couldn’t leave him there because it will take time for him to see a taxi and they need to get to their destination early. I don’t know if this is justifiable, but we took our time to explain the detriment of his action as this can cost his friend’s life. Though we were able to win his charge for him through our professional paralegal team who are in charge of fighting traffic tickets.

We can also take a look a case of someone driving while not on the driver’s seat. Apart from the fact that this will confuse other drivers as they wouldn’t know who to communicate with, in term of giving signals with the signal light. This also confuses the original driver, because he wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

During our finding as to why someone will be controlling a moving car while not sitting on the driver’s seat, we realize this often occurs if the driver is still a learner and his guide interfere by explaining some things to him. This shouldn’t be! There are many places designated for learning purposes.

Frequently changing of lanes is also a reckless driving act which will confuse not only the drivers but also the pedestrians. Drivers should maintain a lane while driving and not roam from one lane to another. If there is any need for the driver to change lane, he should on the pointers light and change the lane once and for all.

Stunt Driving Involving Accident

According to reliable sources, there is a record of over 360,000 injuries on the road which is caused by stunt and racing drivers. Reports have it that about five people die every day on Canada road from stunt or racing driving. This is getting rampant, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has promised to put a check into this. This brings about the stunt driving ticket which is now one of the most severe driving offense. The law enforcement agencies are strict with this, and they wouldn’t hesitate to give you a stunt driving ticket which involves an immediate suspension of driver’s license and a summon. Drivers are advised to show up in court on the court day written on the issued document to avoid police arrest and criminal charges.

Penalties For Stunt Driving

The penalties for stunt driving varies on the severity of the offense and its outcome. We will do a detailed explanation of the sanctions.

Demerit poets

Increase in insurance rate

Driving license suspension

Jail

Stunt Driving (Contest) Ticket And Its Effect On Insurance Rate

Stunt driving ticket can cost you times three of your regular insurance rate, and this is why you should put every necessary consideration to ensure you are not guilty of stunt driving (contest) ticket. All convictions will be on your public record for three years, and it will have a detriment effect on your insurance premium for a minimum of five years.

Increase in Insurance rate: The probability that your insurance rate will increase, (if not certain) is very high if you are found guilty of stunt driving offense. This can go as high as multiply by three of your current rate.

Loss of insurance coverage: Some insurance companies might cancel or refuse to renew your auto insurance coverage after your current insurance policy expires.

Labeled as a high-risk driver: having a stunt driving charge on your driving license is

enough to stand you out as a high-risk driver. This might have a severe effect as most insurance companies will see it as “a keep off” and would not want to insure your vehicle, and if you do, the rate will be far higher to the standard rate.

You might as well contact us at traffictickseperts.com for any issues with your stunt driving ticket or insurance policy.

How Does Stunt Driving Ticket Work?

Since the inclusion of Stunt Driving ticket in the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario in 2007, the law enforcement agency, especially the police, have not been taking it lightly with drivers who violate any of the stunt driving (contest) rules. Once the police officer can ascertain that you are driving 50 km/h beyond the set speed limit, he will give you two documents immediately.

A summons to appear in court for a charge of stunt driving

A notice of suspension of driver’s license for seven days.

The driver will pay for the cost of towing the vehicle to a private auto pound and also pay the charges that might arise like the storage of the vehicle for seven days.

Stages Of Stunt Driving Ticket

There are two stages involve in stunt driving ticket, stunt driving with conviction and stunt driving without conviction.

Stunt driving without conviction: This occurs when you are charged with stunt driving by a law enforcement agent, but you won the charges in the law court.

Stunt driving with conviction: If you are charged with stunt driving and in the long run – found culprit of the offense.

Stunt Driving Without Conviction And Penalties

It is good news you win you charge, and you have proven not guilty of the offense. However, this doesn’t mean you wouldn’t suffer some penalties as stated in the Highway Traffic Act under section 172.

A Seven-day license suspension: Your driver’s license will be suspended for seven days, and you must not drive during this period.

A seven-day vehicle impoundment: Your vehicle will be under impoundment for seven days. It doesn’t matter whose vehicle you were driving whey the law enforcement agent caught you.

Reinstatement fee: Drivers will pay a reinstatement fee of $180 to the Ministry of Transportation office for the reinstatement of his driver’s license.

The offense will be recorded in the driver’s record for three years.

Stunt Driving With Conviction And Penalties

Stunt driving with conviction is not something you should pray for, especially when you look at the penalties as recorded in the Highway Traffic Act, under section 172.

An attraction of a hefty fine: Drivers who are convict of stunt driving will pay a fine between $2,000 to $10,000 fines. This varies on the severity of the offense and, perhaps the law enforcement agent. The minimum fine is $2,000, and the maximum is $10,000.

License suspension: Your driver’s license might be suspended for two years if you are found convict of stunt (contest) driving. This will cost you another fee to be reissued another license.

Imprisonment: Driver convicted of stunt driving might be given six months imprisonment by the court if they refuse to pay the fine. They might also be compelled to serve the two punishments, depends on the severity of the crime.

Stunt Driving And Demerit Points

Drivers who are culprits of stunt driving or racing will receive six demerit points apart from the suspension of their driver’s license. The demerit point stays in your driving abstract for two years.

Impaired Driving And Stunt Driving

Impaired driving is an act of driving while still under the influence of alcohol. Drivers who are convicted of stunt driving and at the same time under the influence of alcohol complicate their issues and indirectly having their punishment double up. This can attract a fine as high as $10,000, two years drivers’ license suspension and six months imprisonment.

This doesn’t exclude other punishment for impaired driving as stated under the Criminal Code of Canada. Drivers who are found guilty of impaired driving will be subjected to the prohibition of the Criminal Law (federal law) and suspension of driving license by the provincial legislation.

How Does The Police Ascertain Your Vehicle Speed?

The police can ascertain a driver traveling speed through any of these three methods:

Radar speed Informant

Radar is a radio wave which is sent from a radar transmitter. The radio waves hit a moving vehicle and then bounce back to the receiver. The radar measures the duration the radio waves move from the police vehicle to the driver. Afterward, it calculates the time and distance which will give the result – speed. The most common radar is the radar gun.

Simple formation

Distance / Time = Speed.

Pacing speed

The police can also make use of pacing to ascertain the speed of a speeding motor vehicle. The police drive after the speeding vehicle to check the speed of the vehicle. After the speed is matched, the police will use their vehicle’s speedometer to determine the speed of the vehicles. Once you are found guilty of the offense, you get your stunt driving ticket immediately.

Laser Speed Informant

The primary purpose of a laser beam is to measure time and distance. The law enforcement agency uses the laser speed to measure the time it takes a beam of light to strike the offender’s vehicle and revert to the gun. The laser will do a mathematical calculation of the speed and distance of the vehicle and gives the measurement of the speed of the vehicle. The Laser speed informant is quite similar to the Rader speed informant, just that the laser doesn’t measure speed in wave frequency or radio wave.

Stunt Driving VS Careless Driving

Stunt driving ticket and careless driving are the most serious charges under the Highway Act, as they both carry the risk of a jail sentence. Stunt driving can attract high possible charges, including dangerous driving, traffic control violation, careless driving, etc.

Stunt Driving VS Dangerous Or Reckless Driving

Stunt Driving might also be classified under dangerous driving, as this is being decided by the law enforcement agency. Dangerous driving, according to the Criminal Code of Canada:

“(1) Everyone Commits An Offense Who Operates

A motor vehicle in a manner that is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances, including the nature, condition, and use of the place at which the motor vehicle is being operated and the amount of the traffic that at the time is or might reasonably be expected to be at that place.

Simple Break Down Of Stunt Driving Ticket And Penalties

It is well said that Ontario has the strictest reckless driving ticket in Canada. Here is a breakdown of likely careless driving ticket you will get in Ontario if you are guilty of careless driving.

Point

6 demerit points.

Fines

Fines ranges from $2,000 to $10,000. This depends on the severity of the crime

Impaired Driving: Penalties double up, with punishment for drinking and driving.

Impoundment

Driver’s vehicle will be impounded for seven days.

Suspension

Drivers without conviction receives a seven-day driver license suspension while the driver with conviction receives two-years driver license suspension.

Insurance

Insurance increases to 100%.

Jail

Severe offenses might be charged with about six-month imprisonment.

Fighting A Stunt Driving (Racing) Charge

Though fighting stunt driving charge is not something straightforward and the chances of winning your case might be slim. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean you should give up, especially when one considers all the penalties involved. In fact, this is the reason you need the service of professional paralegal assistance to help you fight your stunt driving or racing ticket, in which we at traffictickseperts.com are always available to help you fight your charge.

You have a right to employ someone to appear in court to defend your stunt driving or racing charges. You could as well appear in court yourself to defend your charges. Whichever the case may be, we at traffictickseperts.com are always available to help you win the case, and if there is any application of punishment, we help you negotiate and ensure there is a reduction in the punishment. We are also available to educate you about trafficking rules as regards the Canada highway trafficking rules. We are not limited to Ontario, our services cover Toronto, Alberta, Edmonton, Calgary, Manitoba, Winnipeg, British Columbia and every other province in Canada.

Our paralegal’s team are very competent and reliable with a high success rate of fighting traffic tickets. We help you handle your charges, starting from filling the tickets, requesting disclosure document, and preparing litigation support. With traffictickseperts.com, your traffic tickets are covered.