Stunting and street racing number among the easily preventable causes of accidents on Saskatchewan streets. While the incidences are higher in urban areas, no community is immune to property damage and personal injury that comes from such thoughtless activities. Now, the province is set to introduce tough new penalties beginning October 1.

“Reckless and unsafe driving behaviours like street racing and stunting are a growing concern,” said Minister Responsible for SGI Don Morgan. “These risky choices can have serious and often life-threatening consequences, and the penalties need to appropriately address them.”    

The cost of a ticket* for stunting in a motor vehicle increases to $580 (from $150), plus four demerit points. The ticket for street racing will be $580 (from $205) and escalate for repeat offences within a one-year period ($1,400 for a second offence, and $2,100 for a third). All offences also include four demerit points. 

According to a release from SGI, even prior to the new penalties, a ticket for street racing resulted in an immediate, 30-day vehicle impoundment, while repeat offences for stunting resulted in a three-day impoundment. The second phase of the legislation change, which will take effect at a later date, will implement both 30-day vehicle impoundments and immediate seven-day licence suspensions for stunting, racing and exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h or by more than double the posted limit.  

There are also updated terms to define the offences in The Traffic Safety Act. These include:

Racing  

•         Racing side by side with another vehicle while disobeying the speed limit  

•         Chasing another vehicle  

•         Speeding in and out of lanes to unsafely pass vehicles  

•         Driving at a speed that is a marked departure from the speed limit. 

 

Stunting 

•         Attempting to lift some or all tires from the roadway (including driving a motorcycle on one wheel)  

•         Attempting to spin a vehicle to cause it to spin or circle 

•         Driving a vehicle while not sitting in the driver’s seat 

•         Driving in the oncoming lane longer than is needed to pass  

•         Driving a vehicle in a way that prevents another vehicle from passing   

•         Stopping or slowing down to interfere with the movement of another vehicle  

More information is available from SGI on its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.