(HALIBURTON, ON) – In two separate incidents on Saturday November 28, 2015, a Haliburton Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer laid two stunt driving charges in Minden Hills Township.
Just shortly after 10:00am the officer observed a northbound Mercedes SUV travelling on Highway 35 near Green Gables Road travelling at a high rate of speed and determined the speed to be 137 km/hr in a posted 80km/hr zone. As a result of the traffic stop, Thirukkumar THIRUNAVUKARASU, 49, from Whitby was charged with Race a Motor Vehicle.
Later, just before 4:30pm the officer observed a southbound Jeep Wrangler travelling on Highway 35 near Miner’s Bay Road travelling at a high rate of speed and determined the speed to be 135 km/hr in a posted 80 km/hr zone. As a result of the traffic stop, Catherine AQUIN, 50, from Whitby was charged with Race a Motor Vehicle.
Both drivers’ vehicles were impounded, and their driver’s licences were seized and suspended for 7 days under the stunt driving legislation.
Speeding more than 50km/h over posted speed limit is considered stunt racing. Stunt driving was added to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act in 2007. The penalties for stunt driving also include a fine between $2,000 and $10,000 dollars, possible drivers’ license suspension up to 2 years on first conviction.
The Haliburton Highlands OPP wants to remind motorists now that winter conditions are here that driving conditions can change rapidly and unexpectedly. Maintaining good driving habits, keeping speeds within the posted speed limits and adjusting speeds according to the road conditions, will greatly reduce the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle collision.
