Burlington part of the problem as stunt driving up 40% in Ontario

New data shows that stunt driving is up 40 per cent across Ontario and going by recent reports, Halton Regional Police are being kept busy reining in the over-aggressive drivers in Burlington.

Stunt driving is a broad term but commonly the charge stems from driving at a high rate of speed, but it also includes racing, chasing another vehicle, driving aggressively or performing stunts such as burnouts, doughnuts or, in the case of motorcycles, popping a wheelie. Generally, in non-legal terms, a stunt driving charge can be filed against anyone going beyond the normal operation of a vehicle.

If you are charged with stunt driving your vehicle can be seized, have your license suspended and be fined anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000. The repercussions are serious especially when trying to obtain insurance. However, because stunt driving is not a criminal offence police rarely release the names of those who break the rules.

Since the beginning of this year, Halton Regional Police say they have stopped over 50 vehicles for what the law calls stunt driving.

“It’s a problem, for sure,” a policing official told inhalton.com. “Some drivers, often young men, think the roads are theirs for the taking and drive at speeds that are far too fast and put themselves and others at risk. Police capture a lot of these aggressive drivers, but officers can’t be everywhere.”

Here are some of the most recent cases of high-profile stunt driving incidents in Burlington:

• April 19: Stunt driving and other charges against driver in front of Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School. Vehicle clocked going 110 km/h in a 60 km/h community safety zone. Car impounded for  14 days, license suspended for 30 days. Police believe this is the second time this driver has had their vehicle impounded and license suspended.
• April 14: Two driver caught going 109 and 106 km/h on Guelph Line near Number 2 Sideroad. Vehicles impounded, licenses suspended, stunt driving charges.
• April 7: Driver doing 144 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Walkers Line near Number 2 Sideroads. Vehicle impounded, driver faces charges.
• April 7: Took place on Burloak Dr. near the entrance of Bronte Provincial Park. Driver going 118 km/ h in a 60 zone. A 30-day license suspension for the driver as well as losing their vehicle for 14 days.
• April 7: Vehicle impounded for 14 days, 30-day license suspension for driver doing 128 km/h in and 60 km/h zone on Walkers Line and Number 2 Sideroad.