Increased penalties for stunting and racing in Sask.

Tough new penalties will come into effect Oct. 1, aimed at deterring drivers from stunting and street racing.

“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.

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 sevenday licence suspensions for stunting, racing and exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h or by more than double the posted limit.

The definitions for stunting and racing have also been updated in The Traffic Safety Act. The updated language in the TSA addresses the following behaviours, among others:

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