Originally Posted by Snobike Mike

I believe he is exaggerating.

Ontario is nuts, but so is Florida and a few other states on the same types of things. It's all about controlling the little guy and since they don't get revenues from busting actual criminals, they go after the driving public.

Also, the "save the children" movement is in full force here and thus the unsuspecting public votes these idiots in to get those "street racers" and then it turns out it's them that get pinched.

Since this law came into effect 18+months ago, they have impounded everything from grandpa's to garbage trucks, and even police officers (although funny how the patrol car didn't get impounded and the license wasn't suspended in those cases).

Originally Posted by Spectrel

Wow I really appreciate the thought here. It's not about the fine or any of the monetary consequences. The doubling of my insurance (which is already high due to my age) would hurt quite a bit but I could even live with that since the vehicle is parked in the winter.

My biggest concern is getting nailed with any other sort of ticket at all in the future. Since I may have 6 points added if I am charged , then any other ticket in the next 2 years would require me to have an interview with the Ministry of Transportation and justify why they shouldn't take my license. I'm a young professional and entrepreneur and loosing my license would have huge implications.

Originally Posted by CH-Z51

In this circumstance, I would retain a good lawyer.

Hope all ends well.

Originally Posted by AORoads

No self-righteousness here. You are a real man to be able to admit to this, and to your fault. I hope it's a very good lesson to the rest of us. Thank you and good luck.

Originally Posted by pearlwhite

On the trial date go see the states attorney (prosecutor) in his office before the trials begin and see if you can strike a deal for guilty to a lesser charge.

Originally Posted by AORoads

No self-righteousness here. You are a real man to be able to admit to this, and to your fault. I hope it's a very good lesson to the rest of us. Thank you and good luck.

Originally Posted by Spectrel

I had to help him out to get the car started (I think he inserted the key in the glove box lock to no avail).

Originally Posted by Wayne88

Agreed. You need to get on the good side of the judge.
Say something like this:
Your honor, I just got this car and I didn't realize how fast it was. It just took off on me. I certainly never intended to break the law, or do anything to put others in harms way.

Lay it on thick, and hope that it sticks.

Originally Posted by Spectrel

Well I hate to be the victim of a stereotyping , but in my case it was painfully accurate.

I'm 23 and purchased my 05 Z51 with 30,000km in Dec of 08. Last Sunday it was finally nice enough to take my girlfriend out for a spin, I have only had the vette on the road for maybe 2 weeks at best. I had never taken it anywhere except the small town where I live so I decided we'd make a day of it and head in Ottawa which about an hour from my home and do some shopping. Other than a a couple spirited launches I was being very conscious of my driving paranoid that I would be picked out for being a young vette pilot. After driving behind some slow traffic on the two lane potion of the highway for 20 minutes and unable to pass as it seems everyone was out for a cruise this day, I was itching to hear my newly installed Borlas again. The road expands to 4 lanes and the fast lane is wide open, with 4 cars in the slow lane and nothing ahead in sight.
I drop to third put my foot in it and accelerate. I'm well past the 4 cars in a couple of seconds when I glance ahead to see the radar trap . The officer waves me in from ahead and I pull over.

I got charged with doing 163 in a posted 100,(in Ontario anything 50 over the posted limit is considered "stunt driving"). Stunt driving charges result in an automatic 7 day vehicle impound and 7 day license suspension as well as an automatic court hearing. While waiting for the tow truck the officer gets talking to me turns out to be quite a nice guy and asks if he can sit in the car. I give him the go ahead so he jumps in fires it up a grins and shuts it down. My gf and I both get a ride in the back of the cruiser to the closest gas station where my friend picks us up.

My court date is April 24th, and here is what could result:

Stunt Driving
Actions that are considered to be Stunt Driving in Ontario:

* Driving at a rate of speed that is higher than 50km/hr over the posted limit
* Driving without care and attention to the road or without reasonable care for the safety of others on the road


For example:

* Preventing another car from passing without reason
* Stopping or slowing your car in a manner that interferes with the movement of the cars behind you
* Completing Donuts (circular motions with your car)
* Driving your car in a position that is not seated in the driver’s seat
* Driving with passengers in your trunk
* Improper turns


What are the consequences associated with a stunt driving / street racing conviction?

- A minimum fine of $2000 up to a maximum fine of $10,000
- Imprisonment for not more than 6 months
- Licence suspension for not more than 2 years for a 1st conviction
(up to 10 years for a 2nd conviction)
- Up to a 100% insurance rate increase for the next three years
- Six demerit points


I'm going to fight it but if convicted then I will probably have to sell my C6 .

It took me a long time to save for the car and find the exact one I wanted, it really was a dream come true to finally have it and be part of the community. Probably less than 8 seconds of spirited driving and it's all gone.

The morale of the story is save the speed for the track. I know I may have been at fault and deserve whatever happens. However I do think the new law is very harsh.

Learn from my mistake, it's just not worth. It might be hard to keep your foot out of it sometimes, but its much harder to watch your perfectly good car leave on a town truck as you stand on the side of the road.

Originally Posted by RustyBullets

As a retired LEO from the states, I appreciate your candor on the situation. There are some avenues of approach when you get to court. Let me offer a few words of advice: First, do not attack the officer for doing what he's supposed to be doing. You admitted the driving error. You may even ask the officer if he could put in a good word for you to the prosecutor. Second, your driving record. I assume it's good or you probably wouldn't have a Corvette and insurance at your age. Bring a copy of the good record to court with you to show the prosecutor. He may have one already but you need to show your concern to the court. Have a discussion with the prosecutor about what you have done to correct this situation prior to trial. You want to present yourself as an honest, mature citizen. Not a wild driver with a hot rod car that needs to be punished.
Third, attend a driving class prior to court and bring some kind of notice of completion. Fourth, present to the court the description of the slow traffic and that you passed quickly where there was available room, but not realizing how quickly the Corvette accelerated, you were past the traffic, slowing down, and then was stopped by the police.

I would offer as a side note for your information and not to be discussed in court, that that location, a two lane breaking into a four lane, is a natural area for hazardous drivers to break out, accelerate over the limit and pass cars, therefore a convienent place for traffic police to stop, cite, and/or arrest speeding violators.

Fifth, tell the court you have worked and saved for this special Corvette, that you have suffered financially by the impound and loss of your car, and the insurance payments, that you are a responsible citizen and not prone to "stunt driving" or any other kind of irresponsible or hazardous driving. Now show the court your notice of driving school completion, the copy of your driving record, and your mature approach to future driving situations. It is my experience that courts appreciate a humble and contrite defendant who has changed his/her behaviour and is not likely to be a danger to society again. Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome.

Originally Posted by Wayne O

I'm sorry about your speeding ticket and the consequences you are facing. I would normally suggest simply admitting guilt and throwing yourself at the mercy of the Court, however, as the penalties are so severe and you risk losing your car I'd be inclined to at least talk with a (very) well qualified attorney. The attorney may cost more than the fine but it might be money well spent. Then again, you might be paying for an attorney plus a stiff fine. It's a tough call. I would at least consult with an attorney to see what he thinks given the facts.

You're right about not speeding on the street and saving it for a track. I'm in a couple different road racing organizations and track my car one or two weekends a month. Frankly, if I couldn't get a regular, legal speed fix I'd be in deep trouble.

Keep us posted on what happens and I sincerely hope everything works out well for you!


I thought I read he was going to plead 'not guilty.' I hope the Court doesn't see this post as an admission of guilt.