Ghost riding and trunking

Dear editor;

With the flurry of media activity highlighting the dangers of "ghost riding" and "trunking", I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the risk and consequences of dangerous driving.

A quick look on the popular YouTube website reveals how prevalent ghost riding and trunking have become. The people in these videos may look like they're having a great time, but make no mistake - they're putting their lives and the lives of innocent people at risk.

For parents who do not know what "ghost riding" is, it involves the driver and/or passengers leaving a vehicle and dancing outside (often on the hood or roof) while the driverless vehicle is still in motion. "Trunking" is a stunt where passengers ride in the trunks of cars. These dangerous practices have resulted in needless fatalities and injuries across North America during the past few years.

In Ontario ghost riding or riding in the trunk of a car is illegal. Ghost riding can result in a charge under the Criminal Code and someone caught trunking face a fine between $60 and $500 on conviction. Drivers who transport passengers under the age of 16 in the trunk of a car can also be fined and have two demerit points applied to their records. These drivers may also be subject to a charge under the Criminal Code.

To be clear, ghost riding and trunking are dangerous and illegal activities in Ontario.

No punishment will help those who are killed or injured as a result of trunking or ghost riding. Let's help Ontario's young people to make the right choice and keep themselves safe. Ghost riding and trunking have no place on Ontario roads.

Donna Cansfield

Minister of Transportation