OPP charge two with stunt driving on Hwy. 69 over the weekend

Speeding a chromic problem in the north A recent survey confirmed what police in Timmins say they already knew: too many people are speeding in residential areas.

Two northern Ontario drivers were stopped by police for stunt on Highway 69 over the Civic Holiday weekend.

Both drivers were travelling more than 150 km/h on the northern highway, according to a social media post by Ontario Provincial Police.

“This past long weekend along with other numerous traffic violations issued by the OPP, the Sudbury TIME (Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team) charged two young drivers with stunt driving on Highway 69,” police said.

“The OPP would like to remind motorists, that stunt driving includes vehicles traveling over 150 km/h, not just 50 km/h over the speed limit,” said police, last month.

The accused are a 21-year-old from Greater Sudbury, Ont. and a 22-year-old from Bracebridge, Ont.

In addition to the stunt driving charges both drivers also received 30-day driver’s licence suspensions and the vehicles involved were impounded for 14 days.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

Speeding and stunt driving on the rise

Last year, OPP in northern Ontario said following a pause during the pandemic, stunt driving is increasing in the region.

The OPP statements were supported by a Canadian Automobile Association survey found that 51 per cent of Ontario drivers label speeding as a big problem.

Penalties for stunt driving include a fine of up to $10,000, a driver’s licence suspension of up to three years and up to six months in jail. In Ontario, drivers face a minimum first-time fine of $2,000 for a stunt driving conviction.

“Slow down (and) drive safe,” said police.