Whether you’re watching the news or checking your social media feeds,
reports of stunt driving are everywhere.
Here are a few common examples of stunt driving in Ontario, all illegal and seriously unsafe:
- Going 50 km/h or more over the limit on highways (more than posted 80 km/h), or 40 km/h or more over in lower-speed zones (less than posted 80 km/h).
- Reaching speeds of 150 km/h or more, regardless of the speed limit.
- Tire burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, and spinning, including intentional loss of traction.
- Street racing or drag racing, such as challenging others at traffic lights or on highways.
- Driving with reckless intent, including cutting off or weaving between vehicles and tailgating dangerously close.
- Making aggressive lane changes without signalling.
- “Ghost riding” (driving while not sitting in the driver’s seat).
- Carrying passengers in the trunk or in an unlawful seat.
- Driving side-by-side in oncoming traffic, blocking lanes longer than necessary.
Who is most often involved?
The OPP have observed that many offenders are young drivers, teens and people in their early 20s, with modified vehicles or motorcycles.
Are incidents increasing, or are we seeing more enforcement?
Rising numbers
Peel Region reports a 154% increase in street-racing/stunt charges from 2022 to 2024, jumping from ~800 to over 2,100 total street-racing-related charges, including 400+ stunt-driving tickets.
Stronger enforcement
- New tools like e-ticket systems and license plate recognition help officers more efficiently stop offenders.
- If a video clearly captures dangerous or reckless driving, police can use it to lay charges, even if they didn’t witness the incident themselves.
- Ontario-wide campaigns ("Drive Smart: Keep It Safe") include aggressive patrols, vehicle inspections, and public education.
Consequences
Extended suspensions & escalating penalties:
- Conviction leads to 1–3 years off the road for a first offence, up to 10 years for a second, and potential lifetime bans for further offences.
- Insurance ramifications: Convictions significantly hike rates or even cancel coverage. Stunt-driving charges stay on record for at least three years.
- Collateral damage: Time in jail (up to six months for repeat or high-speed cases), impact on employment or education, towing/storage fees, and legal representation.
The Bottom Line
While thrill seekers may engage in dangerous and risky behaviours, Ontario is responding with robust enforcement and steeper penalties. As occurrences rise, so do interventions, evidence that the province is actively attempting to deter this behaviour before tragedies happen.
At EasyInsure, understanding the real price of risky choices is key to safer roads and to protecting your wallet and your future. Choose safety. Choose smart.