Photo by B. Shakyaver
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the West Region charged over 750 people during the Drive Smart – Keep it Safe traffic safety campaign in southwestern Ontario. This campaign took place from September 23 to September 29, 2024. During that week, officers stopped 1,967 vehicles, and 26 of those stops were for stunt driving.
Drivers caught stunt driving or racing face severe penalties. They can lose their driver’s license for 30 days and have their vehicle taken for 14 days, even if it is not theirs. Fines range from $2,000 to $10,000, and they could go to jail for up to six months. After a conviction, the driver’s license can be suspended for at least one year for a first offense or three years for a second offense. For a third offense, the suspension can last a lifetime but might be reduced after 10 years. A fourth offense results in a lifetime suspension that cannot be reduced. In addition, offenders receive six demerit points and must take a driver improvement course.
During the campaign, officers also charged 86 drivers of modified vehicles, 597 drivers for speeding, and 76 for other serious traffic-related offenses.
Written by: K. Milhomens
