[wbradley]

I was charged with stunt driving yesterday in York Region and my case is hardly blatant. In fact, perhaps due to the Covid19 crackdown some police might be misusing their power. Normally I'd have no sympathy for anyone accused of stunt driving since I thought there was no doubt when a person is stunt driving, that it is blatant. This was a case of launching in front of a cop, which I will argue does not constitute stunt driving.

Stunt driving in Ontario is defined as 50 or more kph over posted limit, deliberate burnout, donut or drifting on public roads. Also, having a passenger in the trunk.

TL;DR Cop charged me with stunt driving when he witnessed me fishtail literally for a second under quick acceleration.

Here is the incident:

I was turning east on to Hwy#7 from my neighborhood and sped up to make the light to make the turn as I approached. As I exited the corner and headed east I accelerated a bit too hard causing my FR-S (supercharged, Ohlins, staggered etc) to lose rear traction and kicked right momentarily before the traction control kicked in within a second. The rear end swung slightly right literally for a second. We all know unless you do the pedal dance you couldn't sustain a drift or burnout even if you wanted to. Anyway I drove on and accelerated out of the traction break (nannies kill the throttle for a second), speeding, but not more than 30kph over the limit tops and for a very short duration. Maybe the 12C outdoor temps were affecting the tires slightly. What I didn't know is there was a cop stopped at the light facing east. Didn't know for several blocks that he was following me after the incident actually, he probably wanted to try and clock me afterward except I wasn't much above the limit.

Officer pulls me over, after following me quite a distance to the ramp as I was now exiting at the next main street. I commented that I could see he was a sergeant, and he replied back, "Staff sergeant". Young guy. He said for what I did he could charge me with stunt driving if he wanted. He probably would have given me a serious warning and that's it and no ticket. Being somewhat familiar with the stunt driving problems in Ontario, I commented that what I did was not stunt driving under the definition. Of course he asked me if I knew that definition. He also said that if I deliberately broke traction at all 4 wheels (ie: induce drift) that is stunt driving. But I didn't. My car is set up for traction, not drift. It was wholly unintentional, momentary and not a drift, but a short duration tail slip followed by traction control kicking in. I know I shouldn't have rebutted now, politely or otherwise. He called backup, 2 cruisers? Why? I was not belligerent. One officer asked if I will consent to being cuffed! I said no and they didn't. Was this a training session for the younger officers? I hope they're not all impounding people for what I did, that's persecution.

Here is Ontario's description of what constitutes stunt driving:
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070455

Obviously I didn't see a police cruiser nearby, but regardless I believe the accusation against me is grossly exaggerated, perhaps since he couldn't clock me speeding and since I obviously was for a time, the cop decided to exercise his power inappropriately. I guess he just didn't feel he wanted to let me go especially since I was confident and not fearful. I wasn't reckless and didn't lose control of the car or weave or jeopardize cars nearby. I didn't deliberately lose traction! It's a highway and I was driving in a straight line. It's not illegal to accelerate fast if not causing danger. Seriously, I wouldn't drift my car and never will. FR-S getting stereotyped by a cop who said he's into cars and also asked me to put my phone in my pocket in case I'm recording while he discusses what constitutes stunt driving and I am insisting I wasn't sliding 4 wheels. Believe me, I do know a drift when I see one, apparently this guy doesn't.

So, I will have my day in court, be without my license for 7 days as well as my car and pay approximately $1000 to reinstate license and get car from impound. I get punished even if not convicted as per the cop's accusation. If convicted the fines are $2,000-$10,000 and up to 2 year license suspension and 6 months prison, although it isn't criminal. It destroys your insurance (doubles it). I hope they require clear evidence (video showing me acting as claimed) in order to get a conviction, since I know 100% for sure I did not do as the officer stated and this is a very serious accusation that would hugely impact my life if convicted. I drive a car known for drifting, but mine isn't for that at all, it's just surprisingly fast, so the policeman decided to wield (read that; misuse) his power. Sure I was speeding and accelerated quickly, but I didn't recklessly burnout, drift, donut or exceed the limit by 50kph. Moreover I did not have a passenger in the trunk (also stunt driving).

We will see if justice prevails, in which case I'm ONLY out $1000 and a lot of time. Almost makes me wish I was charged with speeding, since that's what actually happened, but then he'd really have no evidence to present.

At this point despite my aggressive driving, I feel angry not remorseful since I am wrongly accused. This young staff sergeant abused his power with me. I couldn't afford the tires to drift even I wanted to, which I don't. That is a stunt, for show. I'm more for go.

The video below is a clear cut example of stunt driving. As is driving 151 in a 100 zone, as is driving like Ken Block or Ken Gushi on the street. Incidentally, I heard the driver was let go in this case, not sure why. Maybe because it was an Ecoboost.

Wish me luck (or condemn me) based on the statements above, which I swear to be truthful.