What is the Charge?
Failing to stop for a school bus with its upper red lights flashing. The required stopping distance depends on your direction:
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Approaching from behind: stop at least 20 metres back
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Oncoming, where there is no median: stop before reaching the bus
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On a road divided by a median, oncoming traffic is not required to stop
Most Highway Traffic Act charges are argued on the basis of risk in the abstract. This one involves children crossing a road, and prosecutors and Justices of the Peace approach it accordingly — expect materially less appetite for a negotiated reduction than you would find on a comparable six-point charge. That does not mean the charge is unwinnable; it means the strength of the underlying facts matters more here than the negotiating posture does.
Penalties
Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
2nd+ offence | Up to $4,000 |
1st offence | Up to $2,000 |
Plus 6 demerit points, three years on your record, and a possible 30-day suspension for G2 drivers. The vehicle's owner can also be charged separately from the driver
Send your summons, court date and a short description of the incident. We check the immediate deadlines and basic details of the stunt driving charge.
The alleged speed, posted limit, driving record, roadside suspension and available disclosure are assessed. Police notes, device evidence and vehicle-identification details may also be reviewed.
Your options are explained in simple terms. Court documents, prosecutor communication and the selected defence approach are prepared based on the evidence.
Penalties before you are convicted
This is what separates s. 172 from every other charge on this site. At the roadside, on the charge alone:
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30-day licence suspension, immediately
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14-day vehicle impound, at your expense
Neither requires a finding of guilt. Both happen before a court has looked at anything.
Penalties on conviction
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Fine of $2,000 to $10,000
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6 demerit points
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Up to 6 months in jail
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Licence suspension: 1–3 years (1st), 3–10 years (2nd), lifetime on a 3rd (reducible after a period), lifetime on a 4th
Stunt driving is a provincial offence, not a Criminal Code offence, so it does not create a criminal record on its own. A dangerous or injurious incident can still attract separate criminal charges alongside it.
Fighting it
The elements are surprisingly specific and often surprisingly weak: the exact distance at which you stopped, whether the upper red lights were actually flashing (as opposed to the amber warning lights), the presence and nature of a median, and the officer's or bus driver's ability to judge distance from their position. Camera footage from the bus, where it exists, cuts both ways and should be obtained through disclosure before you decide anything.
Have a school bus charge reviewed -
Vertex Legal Solutions is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. General information, not legal advice.
What Ontario Drivers Say About Vertex Legal Solutions for Stunt Driving Issues
Daniel R., Toronto
“I contacted Vertex Legal Solutions after receiving a stunt driving charge in Ontario on Highway 401. They reviewed the summons, alleged speed, roadside suspension and court date, then explained my options in simple terms. The communication was clear, professional and consistent from the first call through the final update.”
Aiden P., Mississauga
“My vehicle was impounded after a stunt driving ticket in Ontario, and I was worried about work and insurance. Vertex reviewed the police notes, speed evidence and driving history before preparing the matter. I appreciated the honest advice, organised process and clear updates throughout the Provincial Offences Court case.”
Michael T., Brampton
“As a G2 driver, I was concerned that a stunt driving conviction could affect my licence. Vertex Legal Solutions explained the novice-driver risks, possible demerit points and court process clearly. They reviewed the summons carefully and made each step easier to understand without making promises about the final result.”
Sarah M., Hamilton
“I drive a company vehicle, so the stunt driving charge created serious employment concerns. Vertex reviewed the alleged speed, vehicle impoundment, driver abstract and available disclosure before recommending the next step. Their licensed Ontario paralegal service was practical, responsive and focused on the full impact of the charge overall.”
Jason K., Ottawa
“Vertex Legal Solutions helped me understand how to fight a stunt driving charge in Ontario. The team reviewed radar evidence, officer notes and vehicle-identification details, then explained the possible resolution and trial options. I received clear guidance, timely communication and professional representation throughout the entire Ontario court process carefully.”
What is the charge?
Far broader than street racing. Under s. 172 and O. Reg. 455/07, "stunt" covers excessive speed plus a list of specific manoeuvres: tire squealing and burnouts, donuts and drifting, lifting wheels off the road, chasing another vehicle, deliberately preventing another vehicle from passing, driving with a person in the trunk, or driving while not in the driver's seat.
The Speed Thresholds:
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40 km/h or more over the limit where the posted limit is under 80 km/h
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50 km/h or more over the limit where the posted limit is 80 km/h or higher
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150 km/h or more, anywhere, regardless of the posted limit
There is no grace margin. One km/h past a threshold is inside the offence.