Street Racing: The Dangers of Driving Fast & Furious
In 2006, our Federal government took steps to address a growing concern with street racing by introducing four amendments to the Criminal Code. The amendments clarified how street racing is defined. The amendments also creating five new street-racing offences, increased maximum prison terms, and introduced mandatory driving prohibitions.
The Ontario government followed the Federal government’s lead by enacting sweeping changes to the Highway Traffic Act in September 2007. The most well-known of these changes is that excessive speeding is now considered a “stunt”.
Since 2007 lead footed drivers have known that driving in excess of over 50 km/h above the speed limit exposes them to the risk of a 7-day automatic roadside licence suspension. A driver caught travelling 50 km/h or more above the speed limit will also see the car that they are driving impounded for a similar 7-day period regardless of whether or not they are the owner of the car. A driver convicted of street racing could face fines ranging from $2,000 – $10,000, or worse, a period of imprisonment.
The penalties for driving in excess of 50 km/h above a posted speed limit may be modest in comparison for the potential for harm that this sort of reckless behaviour creates. The risk of suffering a serious injury or fatality is almost 5 times greater when a motor vehicle crashes while travelling 50 km/h or more above a posted 100 km/h limit. The risk of severe injury or death is 8 times greater when a car crashes while travelling 50 km/h or more above a posted 60 km/h limit.
Excessive speeding is not the only driving related activity that can be considered a “stunt”. The definition of stunt driving includes driving in such a way that prevents another vehicle from passing. It can be considered a stunt when a motorist intentionally cuts another vehicle off or otherwise drives too close to another vehicle, pedestrian or fixed object.
For those who are speed lovers, there are several supervised locations throughout Ontario where drivers can push their limits in a safe and legal environment. There is no thrill in hurting or killing a person in a stunt gone wrong.
