Thunder Bay Police issued 276 provincial charges and reported eight Criminal Code charges during a six-day back-to-school and aggressive-driving enforcement project
THUNDER BAY – CRIME NEWS – A six-day Thunder Bay Police Service traffic-enforcement project resulted in 276 provincial charges, including more than 110 speeding tickets and five stunt-driving allegations.
The Traffic Unit conducted the back-to-school and aggressive-driving campaign from September 6 to September 11, 2026. Officers carried out enforcement during morning, afternoon and evening hours.
Speeding and Stunt-Driving Charges
Police say five Highway Traffic Act charges involved stunt driving by speeding. Two of those allegations involved racing another vehicle.
Ontario’s stunt-driving provisions can apply when a driver exceeds the speed limit by a prescribed amount or engages in racing, contests or other dangerous driving behaviour. A stunt-driving allegation can result in an immediate driver’s licence suspension and vehicle impoundment, separate from any penalty imposed after a conviction.
More than 110 speeding tickets were also issued during the project.
Other Provincial Charges
The 276 charges were laid under three Ontario statutes:
- Highway Traffic Act: Regulates vehicle operation, driver licensing, speeding, careless driving and commercial-vehicle safety.
- Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act: Requires vehicles operated on Ontario roads to have valid insurance.
- Liquor Licence and Control Act: Regulates alcohol possession, transportation and consumption.
Police say additional provincial charges included:
- Operating an unsafe vehicle;
- Careless driving;
- Having a display screen visible to the driver;
- Commercial-motor-vehicle violations;
- Driving while suspended;
- Driving without a licence;
- Operating a vehicle without insurance; and
- Driving a vehicle without a valid permit.
Some drivers were issued provincial summonses requiring them to appear in court.
Criminal Code Charges Also Laid
Thunder Bay Police reported that eight Criminal Code charges were laid during the enforcement campaign.
The listed charges included:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- Operation while impaired — three counts;
- Operation with a blood-alcohol concentration at or above 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood;
- Failure or refusal to comply with a demand; and
- Operation while prohibited.
The numerical counts supplied for the listed offences add up to seven, although police reported eight Criminal Code charges in total. The release did not identify the additional count or provide details about the individual incidents.
Back-to-School Safety
The project was conducted as students returned to school and traffic increased around school zones, intersections and neighbourhood streets.
Drivers are reminded to reduce their speed, watch for children and crossing guards, leave mobile devices alone and never operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs.
All charges described in the police release are allegations. Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Source: Thunder Bay Police Service
