There is a new bill in Ontario that has received royal assent on June 3rd, and has come into force as July 1, 2021 called the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021 (MOMS Act). The bill has various amendments to various statutes, but I am going to focus on the changes to the Highway Traffic Act.
The MOMS Act will now increase the roadside driver’s licence suspension and vehicle periods for drivers caught street racing/stunt driving from seven (7) to thirty (30) days and a 14-day vehicle impoundment. For drivers convicted of street racing/stunt driving, the following post-conviction driver’s licence suspensions are as follows:
· For a first offence, a minimum of one (1) to three (3) years.
· For a second offence, a minimum of three (3) to ten (10) years.
· For a third offence, a lifetime suspension that may be reduced at a later date to be established by regulation, and
· For fourth and subsequent offences, a lifetime of driver’s licence suspension.
While some people might see this as extreme and/or harsh, it seems that there are plenty of tweets on Twitter from various police detachments pulling over these types of drivers daily, issuing tickets because some people are not getting the message. These individuals are putting their lives, other motorists lives and our communities, as a whole at risk. I am sure that insurance companies will have their premiums increase as a result of these convictions as well.
In addition to the penalties for convictions of drivers caught street racing/stunt driving, a lower speed threshold of 40km/h or above has been created for stunt driving charges where the speed limit is 80km/h or less.
Also, introducing a default speed limit of 80km/h on a highway not within a local municipality or built-up area.
In the end, being a driver in Ontario like anywhere else in the world is a privilege, not a right. There are certain responsibilities we must uphold to maintain a safe community for us to all enjoy. For those who like to live on the edge and drive to extreme speeds, is the thrill worth losing your licence for a minimum of 1 year on a first offence conviction to a lifetime ban after a 4th conviction.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a stunt driving/street racing offence or any other offence under the Highway Traffic Act, please contact APL Legal Services and we can assist providing with legal advice and representation.
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