Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 23-year-old with stunt driving following a traffic stop in North Bay over the weekend. According to OPP, an officer was conducting traffic enforcement on the Highway 11/17 bypass in North Bay when they observed a vehicle perform a burnout while turning onto Cassells Road at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 13. “The officer conducted a traffic stop and initiated an investigation,” police said in a news release Tuesday. As a result of the investigation, a 23-year-old local resident was charged with stunt driving for ‘causing tires to lose traction with the surface of the highway’ and unnecessary noise. In addition to the charges, the motorist also received an immediate 30-day driver’s licence suspension and the car involved was impounded for 14 days. The accused is scheduled to appear in Provincial Offences Court at a future date. Stunt driving goes beyond excessive speed “OPP reminds motorists that stunt driving is not limited to excessive speed,” said police. “Under Ontario law, actions such as performing burnouts, street racing, intentionally causing tires to lose traction, and intentionally cutting off another vehicle can result in a stunt driving charge.” Under Ontario law, stunt driving includes driving 40 km/h or more over the limit on roads with a posted limit under 80 km/h, 50 km/h or more over on roads with limits of 80 km/h or more and travelling more than 150 km/h on any roadway. The offence also covers dangerous behaviours such as racing and intentionally cutting off other vehicles. Significant penalties can be applied “Drivers may face immediate roadside sanctions … as well as significant penalties upon conviction,” said OPP. Court-imposed penalties upon conviction can include a fine of up to $10,000, a licence suspension of up to three years and up to six months in jail. First-time offenders face a minimum fine of $2,000, along with six demerit points, higher insurance costs and a mandatory driver improvement course. “Drive safe,” added Const. Kyler Brouwer in a related social media post.
