So you got charged with stunt driving, and when you look at your ticket, there’s no mention of radar or laser. The officer followed you, matched your speed, and looked at their own speedometer. That’s it. And now you’re wondering: can they actually prove anything with that?
Short answer? Yes, they can. Officer pacing is a well-established speed detection method in Ontario, and courts accept it as valid evidence—even for stunt driving charges. Let’s break down exactly how it works, why it holds up in court, and what it means for your defence.
What Is Officer Pacing?
Pacing is exactly what it sounds like. An officer spots a vehicle they believe is speeding, pulls in behind it, and matches its speed. Once the officer has maintained a consistent following distance for a measured stretch of road, they check their own speedometer to determine how fast both vehicles are travelling.
There’s no radar gun involved. No laser. No speed camera. The officer’s calibrated police vehicle speedometer is the evidence. And in Ontario courts, that’s enough.
How Does Pacing Work Step by Step?
Step 1: The officer identifies a target vehicle. This usually happens when a cruiser visually observes a vehicle that appears to be travelling well above the speed limit. The officer’s training includes estimating speed by sight before initiating any measurement.
Step 2: The officer matches the vehicle’s speed. The cruiser accelerates to close the gap, then settles into a consistent following distance behind the target. The key here is maintaining a steady distance—not gaining on the vehicle, not falling behind. If the gap stays constant, both vehicles are travelling at the same speed.
Step 3: Speed is measured over a distance. Officers don’t take a single glance at their speedometer. They maintain the pace over a measured distance—typically several hundred metres to a kilometre or more—to confirm the reading is steady and reliable.
Step 4: The speedometer reading becomes the evidence. The officer records the speed shown on their calibrated speedometer. This reading, combined with the officer’s testimony about the pacing procedure, forms the basis of the stunt driving charge.
Is Pacing Accurate Enough for Stunt Driving Charges?
This is where most people’s assumptions break down. Many drivers believe that without a radar reading, the evidence is weak. That’s not what Ontario courts have found.
Police vehicle speedometers are regularly calibrated and maintained to a higher standard than civilian vehicles. Officers undergo training on proper pacing technique, including how to maintain consistent distance and how to account for variables like road conditions and traffic flow.
Ontario courts have consistently ruled that officer pacing constitutes reliable evidence of speed. The reasoning is straightforward: if a trained officer maintains a steady distance behind a vehicle for a measured distance and their calibrated speedometer reads a specific speed, that evidence is sufficient to establish the speed of the vehicle being followed.
For stunt driving specifically, the math works in the prosecution’s favour. Stunt driving thresholds are 50 km/h over in zones posted 80 km/h or higher, and 40 km/h over in zones posted below 80 km/h. At those speeds, the margin between the actual speed and the legal limit is so large that minor variations in speedometer accuracy become irrelevant. If a pace shows 170 km/h in a 100 zone, a 2–3 km/h calibration variance doesn’t change the outcome.
Can Pacing Evidence Be Challenged?
Pacing evidence is not untouchable. There are legitimate challenges that an experienced legal representative can raise, but they require technical knowledge and courtroom experience to execute effectively.
Calibration records. If the police vehicle’s speedometer wasn’t recently calibrated or the officer can’t produce calibration documentation, that opens a line of questioning about reliability.
Pacing distance and duration. A pace conducted over a very short distance—say, 50 metres—is less reliable than one maintained over a kilometre. If the officer didn’t sustain a consistent distance for long enough, the accuracy of the reading can be questioned.
Road and traffic conditions. Hills, curves, merging traffic, and other vehicles between the officer and the target can affect the officer’s ability to maintain a true pace. These factors can be explored in cross-examination.
Closing or widening gap. If the officer was still accelerating to catch up to the target when they checked their speedometer, the reading may reflect the officer’s speed rather than the target’s speed. Experienced representatives know how to identify this in the officer’s notes and disclosure.
None of these challenges automatically result in a charge being dismissed, but they can create reasonable doubt—and reasonable doubt is what you need.
Pacing vs. Radar vs. Laser: How Do They Compare?
Ontario police use three primary speed detection methods for stunt driving enforcement. Each has its own characteristics:
Radar measures speed using radio waves bounced off a target vehicle. It provides an instantaneous digital reading and is considered the most common method. Radar requires proper calibration and testing procedures documented by the officer.
Laser (LIDAR) uses focused light pulses to measure both speed and distance. It’s extremely precise and can target a specific vehicle in heavy traffic more easily than radar. Laser also requires documented calibration.
Pacing relies on the officer’s calibrated speedometer and their training in maintaining consistent distance. It doesn’t require a separate device but depends on the officer’s technique and the vehicle’s speedometer accuracy.
All three methods are accepted by Ontario courts. There is no legal hierarchy that makes one more authoritative than another. The strength of the evidence depends on proper procedure and documentation, not the technology used.
What the Numbers Show About Fighting Stunt Driving Charges
Regardless of whether your speed was measured by pacing, radar, or laser, stunt driving charges can be fought—and the data supports taking action.
Ontario court data from October 2024 to September 2025 shows that 11,284 stunt driving charges were filed province-wide. Of those, 5,451 (48.3%) were withdrawn before or during trial. That’s nearly half of all charges never resulting in a conviction.
The withdrawal rate varies significantly by court. Waterloo courts withdrew 87.3% of stunt driving charges. Barrie withdrew 78.8%. Even courts with lower withdrawal rates regularly see charges reduced to lesser offences like careless driving or speeding—outcomes that avoid the mandatory 1–2 year conviction suspension and the worst insurance consequences.
What Should You Do If You Were Paced?
Don’t assume the case is unbeatable. Pacing evidence is strong, but it’s not perfect. Procedural errors, documentation gaps, and technique issues can all create opportunities for defence.
Request full disclosure immediately. Your disclosure package should include the officer’s notes on the pacing procedure—the distance over which they paced, the speedometer reading, calibration records for the cruiser, and any other relevant details. This is where a legal representative identifies weaknesses.
Get expert legal advice. Pacing cases require specific knowledge of how courts evaluate this type of evidence. A representative who handles stunt driving cases regularly will know the case law, the common procedural shortcuts officers take, and the arguments that resonate with justices of the peace.
Check Their Google Reviews
When you’re looking for a legal representative to fight your stunt driving charge, start with their Google reviews. A firm that handles hundreds of stunt driving cases per year should have hundreds of reviews from real clients. Look for reviews that specifically mention stunt driving, describe the communication experience, and discuss actual outcomes.
Look at Their Website
A firm’s website should profile the actual people who will represent you—their names, qualifications, and experience with stunt driving cases specifically. If the site is full of stock photos and generic legal language across a dozen practice areas, that’s a red flag. You want a firm whose website demonstrates deep, specific knowledge of Ontario stunt driving law.
Verify Their Track Record
Ask specific questions. How many stunt driving cases have they handled in the past year? What percentage of charges were withdrawn or reduced? Do they regularly appear at your local court? A firm with real experience will share real numbers without hesitation.
What Real Clients Say About Fighting Stunt Driving Charges
NextLaw provided exceptional assistance in fighting my stunt driving ticket. Their professionalism, expertise, and strategic approach led to a favorable outcome beyond my expectations. I highly recommend them for anyone in need of legal representation.
— Piyush Sachdev
Couldn’t be happier with the team at next law i had a stunt driving charge and they got it completed dropped all without any effort required from me they took care of everything from day one I would definitely recommend them. Thanks for the great work.
— Jawid Popal
Thank you Jon for getting me out of a very tricky situation. I had received a stunt driving charge when I was getting late to work one day and got pulled over. Jon was very nice and guided me through the whole process. He also got the ticket lowered to a disobedience of a sign which was the best possible outcome considering the Situation I was in. I would recommend Jon to anyone and everyone. Thanks again Jon
— Muaavia Sani
Ontario Courts That Handle Stunt Driving Cases
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Toronto Provincial Offences Court — Old City Hall, 60 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
- Brampton Provincial Offences Court — 5 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, ON
- Mississauga Provincial Offences Court — 950 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON
- Newmarket (York Region) Provincial Offences Court — 465 Davis Dr, Newmarket, ON
- Oshawa (Durham Region) Provincial Offences Court — 605 Rossland Rd E, Oshawa, ON
Central Ontario
- Barrie Provincial Offences Court — 75 Mulcaster St, Barrie, ON
- Hamilton Provincial Offences Court — 50 Main St E, Hamilton, ON
- St. Catharines (Niagara) Provincial Offences Court — 59 Church St, St. Catharines, ON
Southwestern Ontario
- London Provincial Offences Court — 824 Dundas St E, London, ON
- Kitchener (Waterloo Region) Provincial Offences Court — 77 Queen St N, Kitchener, ON
- Windsor Provincial Offences Court — 201 Chatham St W, Windsor, ON
Eastern Ontario
- Ottawa Provincial Offences Court — 100 Constellation Dr, Ottawa, ON
- Kingston Provincial Offences Court — 426 Princess St, Kingston, ON
Ontario Stunt Driving Statistics (October 2024 – September 2025)
| Court Region | Charges Filed | Withdrawn | Withdrawal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial Total | 11,284 | 5,451 | 48.3% |
| Barrie | 660 | 520 | 78.8% |
| Brampton | 1,000 | 475 | 47.5% |
| Toronto | 880 | 349 | 39.7% |
| Mississauga | 793 | 333 | 42.0% |
| Hamilton | 462 | 228 | 49.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police prove stunt driving with pacing alone?
Yes. Ontario courts consistently accept officer pacing as valid evidence for stunt driving charges. A trained officer using a calibrated speedometer who maintains consistent distance behind a vehicle over a measured distance can establish the vehicle’s speed to the court’s satisfaction.
Is pacing less accurate than radar?
Not in the eyes of the court. Pacing, radar, and laser are all accepted speed detection methods with no legal hierarchy between them. The reliability of any method depends on proper procedure and documentation, not the technology itself.
What if the officer’s speedometer wasn’t calibrated?
Calibration is an important factor. If the officer cannot produce calibration records for the police vehicle, that can weaken the evidence. However, courts have also accepted pacing evidence based on the reasoning that at stunt driving speeds (40–50+ km/h over the limit), minor calibration variances don’t change the outcome.
Can I beat a pacing-based stunt driving charge?
Pacing evidence can be challenged on procedural grounds—short pacing distance, closing gaps, calibration documentation gaps, and road condition factors. While no challenge is guaranteed to succeed, experienced legal representatives regularly achieve withdrawals and reductions in pacing cases.
How long does the officer need to pace me for it to be valid?
There is no specific distance written into law, but courts generally look for a sustained pace over several hundred metres or more. A pace conducted over a very short distance is more vulnerable to challenge than one maintained over a kilometre or more.
Talk to NextLaw About Your Stunt Driving Charge
Whether your speed was caught by pacing, radar, or laser, the defence strategy matters more than the detection method. At NextLaw, Jonathan Cohen and our team handle stunt driving cases across Ontario every single day. We know how pacing evidence is presented in court, we know the procedural weaknesses to look for, and we know what arguments get charges withdrawn or reduced. Our 764 five-star Google reviews reflect the results we deliver.
Phone: 1-833-639-8529
Online: https://stunt-call.nextlaw.ca
