What You Need To Know About Stunt And Race Driving That Could Save Your Life, A Lot Of Money And Even Jail Time

One Crazy Stunt Driver...

I saw a crazy video last night on YouTube: it was shot from the inside of a BMW 325 as it was surging in and out of traffic on a busy European city street. The driver pulls the car out into oncoming traffic, and, at the last minute when you're sure he'll collide head-on, he veers the car back into the out-going lane, hammers the gas and repeats the cycle. 

On other parts of the video, he performs these amazing drifts both with and against traffic as if he were gliding across an iced-over pond. The camera from the backseat shows the pure dexterity of this man, his hands sliding over the steering wheel as if conducting an orchestra. There is something about dexterity that is cross-disciplinary: dentists, pianists, and drivers--this stunt-driver had it. Several times during the video, I winced, thinking for sure he'd lose control and slam into an on-coming car, or the vehicles past which he was drifting would freak out and lose control of their steering wheels--but it never happened; and it just went on and on, for about 10 minutes. 

This illegal stunt-driving video has over 5 million hits on YouTube. Your jaw will drop when you watch it: Very dangerous, life-threatening driving. As the video warns, do not try this! Incidentally, the driver, GIORGI TEVZADZE, was killed in a car accident last year, as a passenger of a BMW SUV that lost control and crashed into a tree--the driver was fine.

My wife thought I was crazy oohing and aahing like I had gone mad--incidentally, I offered to turn the screen in her direction, but was duly rebuffed. There's no doubt in my mind that this guy is some kind of European film stuntman; nevertheless, there was the lingering question I, and the thousands others who have watched this video, had almost the entire time: Why would he shoot part of the video with the camera directed at the front of his car where his license plate was exposed to the cop-world? If he were in Ontario, he'd be busted in a heart-beat...

Bill 203 Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act, 2007

Indeed, Bill 203 Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act of 2007 is not only out to bust these heart-stopping drivers who wield inconceivable steering-wheel acumen--and, it should be noted, risk their lives and those in vehicles around them--but also, as the Act defines "stunt," those who simply want to let off a bit of steam, or smoke, and squeal the tires at a green light, or make a left turn at a just-turned circular green before the vehicle facing the opposite direction is able to proceed straight through in response. It also of course includes those who drive under the influence of alcohol and aggressive drivers. 

Still wonder what "Stunt Driving" and "Race" and "Contest" refer to? 

Here are the definitions from the Highway Traffic Act, Ontario Regulation 455/07:

Definition of "race" and "contest"

"Race" and "contest" include any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:

1. Driving two or more vehicles at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed an in a manner that indicates the driver of the motor vehicles are engaged in competition.
2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to chase another motor vehicle.
3. Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,
1. driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed,
2. outdistancing or attempting to outdistance one or more other motor vehicles while driving at a rate of speed that  is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed, or
3. repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate  of speed.
4. By "marked departure from the lawful rate of speed" means a rate of speed that may limit the ability of a driver of a motor vehicle to wisely adjust to changing circumstances on the highway.

Definition of "stunt" driving

"Stunt" includes any activity where one or more persons engage in any of the following driving behaviours:

1. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to lift some or all of its tires from the surface of the highway, including driving a motorcycle with only one wheel in contact with the ground, but not including the use of lift axles on commercial motor vehicles

2. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to cause some or all of its tires to lose traction with the surface of the highway while turning

3. Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to spin or cause it to circle, without maintaining control over it

4. Driving two or more vehicles side by side or in proximity with each other, where one of the motor vehicles occupies a lane of traffic or other portion of highway intended for use by oncoming traffic for a period f time that is longer than reasonable required to pass another motor vehicle. 

5. Driving a motor vehicle with someone in the trunk

6. Driving a motor vehicle while the driver is not sitting in the driver seat

7. Driving at a speed that is 50 kilometres per hour or more over the speed limit

8. Driving a motor vehicle without due care or attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,

• driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to prevent another vehicle from passing
• stopping or slowing down a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates the driver's sole intention in stopping or slowing down is to interfere with the movement of another vehicle by cutting off its passage on the highway or to cause another vehicle to stop or slow down in circumstances where the other vehicle would not ordinarily do so,
• driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to drive, without justification, as close as possible to another vehicle, pedestrian or fixed object on or near the highway, or
• make a left turn where,
• the driver is stopped at an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal system in response to a circular red indication;
• at least one vehicle facing the opposite direction is similarly stopped in response to a circular red indication; and
• the driver executes the left turn immediately before or after the system shows only a circular green indication in both directions and in a manner that indicates an intention to complete or attempt to complete the left turn before the vehicle facing the opposite direction is able to proceed straight through the intersection in response to the circular green indication facing that vehicle.

Did you read the National Post story, published July 31, 2013 about the 85 year old woman charged with "stunt driving"? She was going 50 kms/hr over the speed limit, lost control of her vehicle, ran across a few front lawns, accidentally running over and killing a pedestrian and her dog. 

What kind of penalties are you facing if you are charged with stunt driving or racing under the safer roads for a safer ontario act?

It can be no less than painful:

• Immediate seven day license suspension of the driver of the vehicle,
• Immediate seven day vehicle impoundment of the vehicle being driven at the time of the incident,
• Fine amounts ranging from $2,000 - $10,000
• Possible drivers license suspension of up to two years
• Six demerit points registered on your record. 
• A second conviction could have harsher penalties, such as license suspension of up to 10 years and possible jail time.

What are the insurance implications if charged under this act?

Insurance companies consider racing and stunt driving serious offences, with many raising their rates by as much as 100% for a first-time offence of stunt driving and/or racing. There have been some reports of insurance companies cancelling clients' policies completely for stunt driving and/or racing, even when they have no other convictions on their record. 

There's also, God-forbid, the loss of life your life and possible those around you. We are connected in a complex fabric of interweaving threads all of which have free will and act spontaneously to ever-emerging phenomena. While it may seem like a thrill--and there's no doubt it could be--there is more at stake than possible damage to your car. One way to respond to the desire to stunt or race is to picture yourself accidentally killing another human being; then white-knuckle the steering wheel, bare down hard, take a deep breath, and resist.