In what’s becoming a troubling pattern, Premier Doug Ford’s government faces intensifying scrutiny after records revealed multiple speeding and stunt driving violations involving government vehicles.
As I dug into the documents obtained through freedom of information requests, I discovered that since 2018, provincial government vehicles have been caught exceeding speed limits by more than 50 km/h at least 36 times. This threshold classifies these incidents as “stunt driving” under Ontario law, carrying severe penalties including immediate license suspension and vehicle impoundment.
“The hypocrisy is stunning,” said Jane Robertson, director of Road Safety Now, a Toronto-based advocacy group. “The same government implementing stricter driving laws apparently can’t follow them within their own fleet.”
What makes this particularly concerning is that seven of these infractions occurred in vehicles assigned specifically to ministers’ offices, raising questions about who was behind the wheel during these dangerous violations.
When I reached out to the Ministry of Transportation, spokesperson Michael Davidson provided a carefully worded statement: “Government staff are expected to follow all traffic laws and regulations. Any violations are thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions taken.”
However, Davidson declined to specify what disciplinary measures, if any, were implemented in these cases, citing privacy concerns.
The revelations come at an awkward time for the Ford government, which has publicly championed road safety initiatives while facing criticism for controversial highway expansions around the GTA.
Toronto Police traffic specialist Constable Amrita Singh told me these violations are particularly troubling. “Stunt driving isn’t just about breaking the law—it substantially increases the risk of catastrophic collisions,” she explained. “When government vehicles are involved, it sends exactly the wrong message to the public.”
The data shows a concerning trend: violations have increased yearly since 2020, with 11 incidents reported in 2023 alone—the highest annual total in the five-year period examined.
Even more disturbing, three of these incidents occurred in community safety zones near schools, where penalties are enhanced due to the heightened risk to vulnerable pedestrians.
Opposition transportation critic Darlene Chen called the findings “outrageous” during yesterday’s question period at Queen’s Park. “How can Ontarians take this government’s road safety messaging seriously when their own vehicles are racing through school zones?” she demanded.
The Premier’s Office declined my repeated requests for comment, directing inquiries to the Ministry of Government Services, which oversees the provincial fleet.
Transportation safety expert Professor Alan Williams from Ryerson University believes these incidents reflect a deeper cultural issue. “When we see repeated violations within government fleets, it suggests accountability mechanisms are failing,” he noted. “There should be zero tolerance for these behaviors, especially from those making and enforcing the very laws being broken.”
The provincial fleet includes approximately 6,500 vehicles, from standard sedans to specialized equipment. All are clearly marked as government property and equipped with tracking systems that record speed and location data.
The Ministry of Government Services confirmed that drivers of government vehicles who receive traffic tickets are personally responsible for paying fines and dealing with any demerit points. However, the ministry wouldn’t confirm whether all 36 stunt driving violations resulted in actual charges or if some drivers avoided penalties.
For Toronto residents already frustrated with increasing traffic congestion and aggressive driving behaviors, these revelations hit a nerve.
“It’s one rule for them and another for us,” said Etobicoke resident Michael Zhang, who received a stunt driving charge last year. “I paid thousands in fines and almost lost my job because I couldn’t drive. Who’s holding these government drivers accountable?”
The government has 30 days to provide additional documentation requested regarding the specific outcomes of these incidents and any disciplinary actions taken.
As this story develops, the Ford government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate its commitment to the road safety standards it promotes through legislation. The question remains whether these incidents represent isolated failures or symptoms of a more permissive attitude toward dangerous driving within government ranks.
For Torontonians navigating increasingly congested roads, the answer matters greatly.
