Stunting

image of a motorcycle rider stuntingThere is a time and a place for everything, but stunting in traffic on the streets and highways of British Columbia isn't it. In addition to issuing expensive traffic tickets to these drivers, police are also required to impound the stunt vehicle.

Definition of Stunting

"Stunt" means circumstances in which, taking into account the condition of the highway, traffic, visibility and weather, the driver or operator of a motor vehicle is driving or operating the motor vehicle without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that is likely to cause harm to an individual or likely to distract, startle or interfere with users of the highway by doing any of the following:

  • causing any or all of the motor vehicle's tires to lift from the road surface;
  • causing the motor vehicle to lose traction while turning the motor vehicle;
  • driving the motor vehicle in a manner to cause the motor vehicle to spin;
  • driving the motor vehicle in a lane intended for oncoming traffic for longer than necessary to pass another vehicle;
  • slowing or stopping the motor vehicle in a manner that prevents other motor vehicles from passing or in a manner that blocks or impedes other motor vehicles;
  • without justification, driving as close as possible to another motor vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object.

"Or in other words," I overheard someone say, "all the things that I used to do when I was a teenager!" We knew it wasn't the proper thing to do then and the penalties for doing these things on our highways today remind us that it still isn't the right thing to do now.

Traffic Tickets for Stunting

Part 9 of the Motor Vehicle Act mentions 3 specific offences that will trigger an impound of the vehicle being used for the stunt:

In addition to these, other driving offences may apply to the situation.

Vehicle Impound for Stunting

When police intend to charge a driver with one of the offences mentioned, they are required by the Motor Vehicle Act to impound the vehicle.

The impound period is 7 days if it is a first offence, 30 days if it is a second offence or 60 days if it is a third offence within 2 years.

Towing and storage charges are the responsibility of the vehicle owner and are significant.

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