OPP Lay Stunt Driving Charges After Speed Stops in Terrace Bay and Nipigon

TERRACE BAY — Ontario Provincial Police have reported two stunt driving incidents in the Nipigon detachment area this week, including one involving a commercial motor vehicle in Terrace Bay and another involving an SUV on Highway 11-17 near Nipigon.

The reports matter across Northwestern Ontario because Highway 11-17 is a critical transportation corridor used by families, workers, tourists, emergency vehicles and commercial traffic.

Excessive speed on regional highways can quickly turn dangerous, especially near communities, construction zones, wildlife crossings and changing weather conditions.

Commercial Vehicle Stopped in Terrace Bay

OPP say that on May 12, 2026, at about 12:26 a.m., an officer with the Nipigon Detachment was using a radar speed-measuring device in Terrace Bay when a white Freightliner Cascadia commercial motor vehicle was observed travelling 100 km/h in a posted 60 km/h zone.

A 30-year-old driver from Winnipeg, Man., has been charged with drive motor vehicle — perform stunt — excessive speed, careless driving, and fail to stop on right for emergency vehicle.

The driver received a 30-day administrative driver’s licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for 14 days.

The driver is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

Second Stunt Driving Charge Laid Near Nipigon

OPP say that on May 13, 2026, at about 8:40 p.m., an officer with the Nipigon Detachment was using a radar speed-measuring device on Highway 11-17 when a white Honda CR-V was observed travelling 159 km/h in a posted 90 km/h zone.

A 51-year-old driver from Prince Albert, Sask., has been charged with drive motor vehicle — perform stunt — excessive speed.

The driver received a 30-day administrative driver’s licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for 14 days.

The driver is also scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Both drivers are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Legal Context: Stunt Driving in Ontario

Stunt driving in Ontario is addressed under section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act and Ontario Regulation 455/07. The regulation defines stunt driving to include driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit where the posted limit is below 80 km/h, and 50 km/h or more over the speed limit where the posted limit is 80 km/h or higher. It also applies to driving 150 km/h or more anywhere in Ontario.

Ontario says drivers involved in stunt driving or street racing can face an immediate 30-day driver’s licence suspension and an immediate 14-day vehicle impoundment.

Upon conviction, stunt driving can carry a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, six demerit points, a possible jail term of up to six months, and a licence suspension. Penalties can increase for repeat offences.

Careless Driving and Emergency Vehicle Rules

Careless driving is addressed under section 130 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. The offence generally covers driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other people using the highway. Upon conviction, penalties can include a fine ranging from $400 to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both, and a possible licence suspension of up to two years.

The Terrace Bay driver was also charged with failing to stop on the right for an emergency vehicle. Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act requires drivers to respond safely when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights or siren activated. A failure to stop or move over for emergency vehicles can result in fines, demerit points and other consequences, depending on the specific charge and circumstances.

These are provincial traffic offences, not Criminal Code charges as reported by police. However, the consequences can still be significant for drivers, employers, insurance costs and road safety.

Why This Matters on Northwestern Ontario Highways

Terrace Bay, Nipigon and the Highway 11-17 corridor see a mix of passenger vehicles, transports, buses, emergency vehicles and tourists. Speeds well above the posted limit reduce reaction time and increase stopping distance, which is especially dangerous on roads where wildlife, weather, hills, curves and heavy trucks are common factors.

The number of collisions on highways in the region involving commercial vehicles, especially collisions causing serious injury or death are a real factor impacting our region.

Commercial motor vehicles raise additional safety concerns because of their size, weight and stopping distance. A speeding transport truck in a lower-speed community zone can create risk for pedestrians, other drivers and emergency responders.

OPP Urge Public to Report Aggressive Driving

OPP say they remain committed to taking aggressive drivers off the road through enforcement and public education.Anyone who suspects a driver is impaired, racing, driving aggressively or creating an immediate public safety risk should call 911 when it is safe to do so. Provide the vehicle description, licence plate, location, direction of travel and driving behaviour.