Penalties are about to get tougher for drivers caught stunt driving

As of July 1, Ontario drivers caught in aggressive or unsafe driving practices will be spending a lot more time idling before they can get back behind the wheel.

Under new provincial legislation, licence suspensions for drivers caught street racing or stunt driving will increase from seven days each to a 30-day licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

And that's just at the roadside. The legislation, called the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021, also introduces escalating post-conviction driver's licence suspensions for those who are convicted of street racing or stunt driving.

For a first offence, it will be a minimum of one to three years. For a second, it will be a minimum of three to 10 years. For a third, it will be a lifetime suspension that may be reduced at a later date — to be established by regulation.

Four strikes and you're out under the legislation, known as the MOMS Act, which received royal assent on June 3. For fourth and subsequent offences, the legislation calls for a lifetime driver's licence suspension.

As it stands, stunt driving charges may be laid when a driver is going 50 km/h or more over the posted limit.

The MOMS act is tougher: Where the speed limit is under 80 km/h, those driving 40 km/h over the speed limit could face stunt driving charges.

The MOMS act also includes measures to protect pedestrians and highway workers, improve truck safety and strengthen provincial oversight of the towing sector.

The changes include how Ontario collects data to track collisions involving car doors hitting bicycles or e-scooters. It redefines “power-assisted bicycles” or e-bikes under the Highway Traffic Act, setting out new standards for three different styles of e-bikes: bicycle-style, mopeds and motorcycle-style.

The MOMS act also strengthens provincial oversight over the towing sector. It will require tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators to be certified and to meet prescribed requirements and standards for customer protection.