New Brunswick drivers with a lead foot may soon face harsher consequences if they are caught.
The provincial government is proposing stiffer penalties for extreme speeding, also known as “stunting”.
Amendments to the province’s Motor Vehicle Act were introduced in the legislature on Tuesday.
“After consultations with various organizations, groups and departments it was determined that the act needs updates to protect residents, police officers and peace officers,” Justice and Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said in a news release.
Current penalties for driving 50 km/h or more over the speed limit are a $500 fine and five demerit points on your licence.
Under the proposed changes, anyone caught driving 50 km/h to 80 km/h over the speed limit would also have their vehicle impounded for a week.
Driving more than 80 km/h over the speed limit would lead to a 30-day vehicle impoundment, a $1,000 fine, and six points off the driver’s licence.
Austin said other provinces already have harsher consequences for extreme speeding, which he said have reduced incidences of excessive speeding and fatal crashes.
Meanwhile, the changes would also require everyone whose driver’s licence has been expired for five years or more to re-take the written and road test.
It is already an established practice, according to the Department of Justice and Public Safety, but it is not supported by any provision of the act.
“The amendments would give the department statutory authority to re-test individuals whose licence has expired for five years or more,” said the release.
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