What Counts as Dangerous Driving Under the Law
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
Dangerous driving is a criminal offence involving operating a vehicle in a manner that is dangerous to the public, considering the circumstances, and it is distinct from ordinary aggressive driving, which is usually handled as a provincial offence.
Dangerous driving sits at the more serious end of driving-related offences, defined by how the vehicle was operated relative to the actual conditions at the time.
How Dangerous Driving Is Defined
The offence focuses on whether the manner of driving was dangerous to the public given the nature and condition of the place, the amount of traffic, and other circumstances, rather than any single fixed threshold like speed alone.
Dangerous Driving vs. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving describes a pattern of behaviour and is often handled through provincial tickets. Dangerous driving is a distinct criminal offence with its own legal threshold.
Consequences
A dangerous driving conviction can carry a criminal record, licence suspension, and potential imprisonment, particularly if the driving resulted in injury or death.