i.
What the charge means
Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act covers racing, stunt driving, and exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h (in zones of 80 km/h or less) or 50 km/h (in zones above 80 km/h).
Highway Traffic Act s.172
Stunt Driving charges in St. Catharines, Ontario.
40+ km/h over (in 80 km/h zones or less) or 50+ km/h over (above 80 km/h) triggers automatic 30-day licence suspension and 14-day vehicle impound at roadside.
- Courthouse
- Niagara Region Provincial Offences Court
- Court Phone
- (905) 687-6590
- Consultation
- Free & Confidential
ii.
Penalties
Fines from $2,000 to $10,000; up to 6 months imprisonment; licence suspension up to 2 years on first conviction; 6 demerit points; insurance impact is severe (often non-renewal or 100%+ increases).
iii.
Available defences
- Calibration and certification of speed-measuring device
- Officer's notes and training records
- Charter — arbitrary detention, unreasonable search
- Identification
iv.
The process
Roadside suspension is automatic; we move quickly on disclosure and bring withdrawal applications based on evidentiary gaps before trial.
v.
Notes for St. Catharines
St. Catharines criminal matters are heard at the St. Catharines courthouse on Church Street. Provincial offences from across Niagara Region, St. Catharines included, are heard at the Niagara Region POA court in Welland.
Traffic / POA Court
Niagara Region Provincial Offences Court
445 East Main Street, Welland, ON L3B 3X7
(905) 687-6590
All Niagara Region provincial offences, St. Catharines included. Niagara runs a single POA courthouse, in Welland — there is no POA courtroom in St. Catharines.
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