Bradford driver earns an ominous first
By Chris Simon

South Simcoe Police charged a 32-year-old Bradford man with "stunt driving", during the early morning rush hour early morning rush hour Oct. 3.

The man was allegedly driving his motor vehicle north on the 10th Sideroad near the 8th Line of Bradford West Gwillimbury, and was tracked travelling 138 kilometres per hour in a posted 60 km/h zone. This was 78 km/h over the posted speed limit.

The driver was stopped by police and charged with stunt driving under Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act, which includes new laws aimed at drivers travelling 50 km/h over the posted speed limit. He was also charged with speeding. The Safer Roads for Ontario Act came into effect Sept. 30, and outlines new offences and procedures relating to street racing, stunt driving and other similar dangerous behaviour.

These were the first charges laid under the new laws under South Simcoe jurisdiction.

"Drivers caught speeding in excess of 50 km/h of the posted speed limit will face an administrative licence suspension immediately at the road side for a minimum of seven days and the vehicle will also be seized and impounded for seven days," said South Simcoe Sgt. Bob Eeles in a statement. "The driver is responsible for all costs of towing and storage. Your divers licence will be confiscated and returned to the Ministry of Transport. The driver will also face a reinstatement fee for the return of his drivers licence."

The defendant will appear in a Bradford court. If convicted, the driver could face fines from $1,000 to $10,000.

This is increased from the previous $200 to $2,000 maximum sentence. The first conviction for this type of offence also carries a maximum two year licence suspension, or a maximum six month jail term.

Second time offenders convicted within 10 years of the first incident, may have their licences suspended for up to 10 years, according to the new laws.