3rd Floor, Ferguson Block

     77 Wellesley Street West

     Toronto, Ontario

     M7A 1Z8

     Word Count: 304

     With the flurry of media activity highlighting the dangers of "ghost

riding" and "trunking", I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of

the risk and consequences of dangerous driving.

     A quick look on the popular YouTube website reveals how prevalent ghost

riding and trunking have become. The people in these videos may look like

they're having a great time, but make no mistake - they're putting their lives

and the lives of innocent people at risk.

     For parents who do not know what "ghost riding" is, it involves the

driver and/or passengers leaving a vehicle and dancing outside (often on the

hood or roof) while the driverless vehicle is still in motion. "Trunking" is a

stunt where passengers ride in the trunks of cars. These dangerous practices

have resulted in needless fatalities and injuries across North America during

the past few years.

     In Ontario ghost riding or riding in the trunk of a car is illegal. Ghost

riding can result in a charge under the Criminal Code and someone caught

trunking faces a fine between $60 and $500 on conviction. Drivers who

transport passengers under the age of 16 in the trunk of a car can also be

fined and have two demerit points applied to their records. These drivers may

also be subject to a charge under the Criminal Code.

     To be clear, ghost riding and trunking are dangerous and illegal

activities in Ontario.

     No punishment will help those who are killed or injured as a result of

trunking or ghost riding. Let's help Ontario's young people to make the right

choice and keep themselves safe. Ghost riding and trunking have no place on

Ontario roads.

     Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation, Province of Ontario.