Erie County Officials Remind Drivers Not To Violate STUNT Law

With the unofficial start of summer on the way and the warmer temperatures mostly having arrived in Western New York, you should get ready to see a whole lot more people out and about in the Empire State.

From yards and beaches to parks and beaches, the long winter hibernation we've been in is finally over, and we're all glad to hear it. While the warmer temps bring lots more people outside, they also bring out a lot more folks looking to have fun in ways some might call unsafe or even reckless.

Buffalo has, for several years, had to deal with people speeding, racing, and even driving illegal ATVs/UTVs on city streets, and we've already seen a big gathering of folks in cars and bikes along the Buffalo Outer Harbor around Route 5. As this is just the start of the warmer temps, and we can all but rest assured that things are going to get worse, members of the Erie County legislature recently held a press conference to let people know that Western New York is looking to hit folks with high fines and even attempt to take vehicles away from people who don't follow the law.

Officials Warn Not To Test Erie County's STUNT Law

In a press conference held earlier in the day on Thursday, May 21, 2026, on the steps of Erie County Hall, several local lawmakers gathered to remind people about the Erie County STUNT law, which passed the Legislature towards the end of 2025.

Erie County Local Law 8, which is commonly known as the STUNT Law, or Safeguarding Traffic, Unlawful Racing, and Noise Transgressions law, was designed to attempt to make Western New York roads safer by stamping down on potentially risky driving.

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In addition to any potential penalties from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Erie County has applied further penalties against those who street race, drive recklessly, or participate in sideshows.

Specifically, things like setting up and being a part of street races, plus stunt driving activities like donuts, drifting, wheelies, now have higher fines and potentially jail time attached to them. First-time offenders can get hit with criminal charges that could land them in jail for 15 days in jail, plus a fine of up to $500, on top of any other traffic tickets they could get.

Someone who is charged more than once can get up to six months in jail with a $1,000 fine attached to it.

This summer is going to be busy, so make sure you're safe and careful as you drive around the 716.