Stunting and street racing are considered severe offences under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. If you are caught on the Anthony Henday Drive, police can immediately seize your vehicle, suspend your licence, and issue a mandatory court summons. Fines for racing can reach $2,300 CAD, accompanied by 6 demerit points.
The Anthony Henday Drive is a major ring road surrounding Edmonton, notorious for drivers treating it like a personal racetrack late at night. Whether it is aggressive lane weaving, performing “donuts” in empty parking lots, or coordinating high-speed races, the Edmonton Police Service takes extreme driving behaviors very seriously. Under Alberta law, these actions are categorized primarily as “stunting” or “racing.”
A ticket for stunting or racing is not a standard speeding infraction. 🚨 The penalties are designed to be immediately punitive to remove dangerous drivers from the road. You cannot simply pay a racing ticket online and move on with your life. You will be mandated to appear before a judge at the Alberta Court of Justice, and depending on the severity of the incident, the police may also lay federal Criminal Code charges for Dangerous Driving. Securing representation from an Edmonton traffic law firm is crucial.
Step-by-Step Process in Edmonton
Facing a stunting or racing charge is intimidating because the consequences happen both at the roadside and later in a courtroom. Here is what you must navigate if you receive one of these severe tickets.
Step 1: The Immediate Roadside Seizure
If a police officer pulls you over for street racing, they have the authority to immediately seize and impound your vehicle, even if you are not the registered owner. In Alberta, a vehicle involved in a racing offence can be impounded on the spot for up to 30 days. You will be left on the side of the road and responsible for paying all towing and storage fees.
Step 2: Review Your Summons to Appear
Instead of a standard ticket with a pre-set fine, the officer will hand you a “Summons to Appear” (a Part 2 Traffic Ticket). This document compels you to attend the Alberta Court of Justice in downtown Edmonton on a specific date. Missing this court date can result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.
Step 3: Retain a Traffic Defence Lawyer
Because you are facing heavy fines, a potential driving suspension, and massive insurance hikes, hiring a lawyer is highly recommended. Your legal team will request the police officer’s disclosure package, which may include radar readings, dashcam video, and witness statements. 🔍 They will look for weaknesses in the Crown’s case, such as proving whether your actions actually met the strict legal definition of “racing.”
Step 4: Attend Court and Present a Defence
Your lawyer will attend court to negotiate with the provincial prosecutor. In some cases, a severe street racing charge can be negotiated down to a lesser offence, like standard speeding or careless driving, which may carry a pre-set fine and save you from an extended licence suspension.
How Much Does it Cost in Edmonton?
A conviction for stunting or street racing is incredibly expensive and will severely impact your finances for years to come:
- Provincial Fines: The standard fine for stunting currently sits at $567 CAD and carries 3 demerit points. However, street racing triggers an automatic court appearance where a judge can issue a maximum fine of up to $2,300 CAD (or more) and 6 demerit points.
- Impound Fees: Retrieving your car from an Edmonton impound lot after a 30-day seizure can cost between $1,200 and $1,500 CAD.
- Law Firm Fees: Hiring a skilled lawyer for a complex mandatory court appearance generally involves a block fee ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 CAD.
- Insurance Fallout: Racing is classified as a “major” or “serious” conviction. Some insurance companies will outright cancel your policy. If you find coverage, expect premiums to rise by $2,000 to $5,000 CAD annually.
| Offence Type | Description in Alberta | Standard Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Stunting | Performing maneuvers that distract or startle other drivers (e.g., drifting, excessive revving). | 3 Points |
| Racing | Two or more vehicles engaged in a contest of speed on a public highway. | 6 Points |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The roadside penalties are immediate, but resolving the ticket takes much longer. Your mandatory court date will usually be scheduled 2 to 4 months after the date of the incident. If you and your lawyer decide to plead not guilty and take the matter to a full trial, the entire legal process can take up to 12 to 18 months to conclude.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is stunting considered a criminal offence in Canada?
No, standard stunting and racing are provincial offences under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. They do not result in a federal criminal record. However, if your racing puts the public in extreme danger, police can charge you with “Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle” under the Criminal Code, which is a severe criminal offence.
Can the judge suspend my licence for stunting?
Yes. If you are convicted of street racing or severe stunting, the presiding judge at the Alberta Court of Justice has the discretionary power to suspend your driver’s licence for anywhere from 30 days to a full year, in addition to handing down fines and demerit points.
What happens to my car if it is impounded and I am not the owner?
Under Alberta law, the vehicle used in a racing offence is impounded regardless of who owns it. The registered owner must pay the massive impound and towing fees to get their vehicle back, and they will likely have to sue you personally to recover those costs.
Can I appeal a vehicle seizure for racing?
Yes. The registered owner can apply to SafeRoads Alberta for an early release of the impounded vehicle. However, they must prove specific grounds, such as the vehicle being stolen at the time, or that the 30-day impoundment will cause extreme, unjustifiable hardship.
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