Stunt driving and excessive speeding

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain what counts as stunt driving or excessive speeding in your province.
• You can describe the roadside penalties, including licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
• You can explain how one excessive speeding conviction affects a graduated licence.
• You can resist pressure from passengers or other drivers to race or speed.
• You can explain why fines rise in work zones and school zones.

What you need to know and understand

• Ontario treats 40 km/h or more over on a road posted under 80 km/h, 50 km/h or more over on any road, or 150 km/h or more anywhere as stunt driving.
• Ontario stunt driving brings a 30-day roadside licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.
• On conviction in Ontario, stunt driving carries a $2,000 to $10,000 fine, 6 demerit points and a licence suspension of 1 to 3 years for a first conviction.
• In BC, police can impound a vehicle for 7 days for driving 40 km/h or more over the limit.
• In Alberta, speeding 51 km/h or more over the limit carries 6 demerit points, as many as careless driving.
• Quebec's excessive speeding brings an immediate 7-day licence suspension and doubled fines and points.
• Impoundment applies even if you are driving someone else's car, and the owner pays towing and storage.

What counts as excessive speed

Thresholds depend on the province and sometimes on the posted limit. Some examples:

• Ontario: 40 km/h or more over where the limit is under 80 km/h; 50 km/h or more over anywhere; or 150 km/h or more.
• British Columbia: 40 km/h or more over.
• Quebec: 40 km/h over in zones of 60 km/h or less, 50 km/h over in zones above 60 up to 90 km/h, and 60 km/h over in 100 km/h zones.
• Saskatchewan: 50 km/h or more over, or double the posted limit, brings a 30-day impoundment.
• Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador: the big step comes at 51 km/h or more over.
• Other provinces and territories: check your handbook.

Stunting and racing are not only about speed

Stunt driving also covers dangerous behaviour at any speed. Ontario includes driving to stop another vehicle passing, deliberately cutting a vehicle off and deliberately driving too close to another vehicle, a pedestrian or an object. Saskatchewan's handbook lists racing side by side, chasing another vehicle, weaving in and out of lanes, spinning the vehicle or lifting tires off the road, and slowing down to interfere with another driver.

If another driver tries to race you, let them go. If passengers egg you on, it is your licence and their safety at risk, not theirs to decide.

What it does to a graduated licence

For a new driver, the knock-on effects can be worse than the fine. In Ontario, any conviction for 30 km/h or more over brings a G1 or G2 driver a suspension of at least 30 days under escalating sanctions. In BC, an excessive speeding conviction during the N stage stops you passing the Driving Record Assessment for a full licence. In Quebec, doubled points easily pass the 4-point limit for learner and probationary licences.

Insurance also rises sharply after a conviction for stunt or excessive speeding, and some drivers become very hard to insure.

Work zones and school zones

Several provinces raise speeding fines where people are at risk. Alberta doubles them in construction zones when workers are present, Quebec doubles fines in roadwork and school zones, and Saskatchewan triples them when passing highway workers in a work zone. Slow down early whenever you see these zones.

Common mistakes

• Thinking stunt driving needs a race. In Ontario, 40 km/h over on a 50 km/h street is enough.
• Borrowing a parent's car and assuming it cannot be impounded. Impoundment applies whoever owns it.
• Keeping up with fast traffic on the highway. Your own speed is what counts.
• Reacting to a tailgater by speeding up. Let them pass when it is safe.
• Forgetting that fines rise in work and school zones. Slow down as soon as you see the signs.

Test yourself: Stunt driving and excessive speeding

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Stunt driving and excessive speeding penalties in Canada