Several people are facing stunt-driving charges after a series of traffic stops on Hwy 401.
Northumberland OPP have made three recent traffic stops along Highway 401, each resulting in stunt-driving charges. One stop was on August 25, another on August 16, and a third on August 13. The fastest of the stopped drivers was moving at 178 km/h when police initiated the stop, with the other two clocked at 165 km/h and 158 km/h. All three drivers were charged with stunt driving, their drivers’ licences were suspended for 30 days and their vehicles were impounded for 14 days.
Stunt driving charges are applied when a driver is moving at 40 km/h above the posted speed limit for any road posted under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h over the limit for roads with a posted limit of 80 km/h or higher. Stunt-driving charges also apply when a driver is moving over 150 km/h on any road, regardless of the posted limit.
OPP are reminding drivers that excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions, increases stopping distances, and significantly raises the risk of serious injury or death in a collision.
