Saskatchewan motorists who stunt, street race, or drive at high speeds will soon see harsher penalties.  

Upcoming penalties include longer impoundment periods and licence suspensions and will start being enforced as of May 1st. These new penalties will be in addition to previous increased financial penalties introduced October 1st, 2022. 

Tyler McMurchy, spokesperson for SGI, explained the rationale. “Stunting, street racing, driving double the speed limit or 50 km/h over the speed limit are all very serious and dangerous offences that don’t belong on our public roads, and the consequences for those offences do reflect the seriousness of them.” 

The financial penalty for stunting or street racing is $580. If a driver is caught street racing a second time, that penalty jumps to $1,400, and a third offence goes to $2,100.  

Current vehicle impoundment penalties include 3 days for stunting on a second and subsequent offence, 30 days for every street racing offence, and 7 days for every offence of exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or double.  

While financial penalties will remain the same, impoundment penalties will increase substantially starting May 1st. In addition, offences will also result in licence suspensions.  

As of May 1st, stunting, street racing, exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h or by double will result in a 30-day impoundment and a 7-day licence suspension.  

For a race, contest, or stunt on a bet or a wager, there will also be a 30-day impoundment and a 7-day licence suspension.  

McMurchy added that there are other financial penalties beyond a ticket that would increase as the impoundment periods increase. “The registered owner is responsible for the towing, the milage, and the impound fees. That can add up pretty significantly. An average cost would be close to $900 for a 30-day vehicle impoundment.” 

Stunting can also get a driver four demerits on SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition program, potentially leading to a higher cost to insure a vehicle.  

Some examples of stunting include:

  • trying to lift tires of a vehicle or motorcycle from the road
  • doing donuts on public roads
  • driving in the oncoming lane longer than necessary to pass other vehicles
  • driving in a seat other than the drivers' seat

The new legislation is in effect as of March 1st, though it will not be enforced until May 1st.