As of 12:01 this past Sunday, Ontario's new street-racing law went into effect and OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley predicts "shock and awe" over the tough new provincial legislation.If a driver is caught going 50 kilometres over the speed limit, police have the power to impound the vehicle for seven days, issue a minimum $2,000 fine and suspend your driver's licence for seven days. And there is no right of appeal in the case of a suspension or impoundment, police say.
On Saturday, before the legislation kicked in, if you are caught going 160 km/h in a 100 zone, you would receive a summons to appear in court and be on your way. Not so anymore...
Infractions also include any kind of "stunt" driving, such as popping wheelies or doing "doughnuts" by spinning your vehicles.
Also falling under the law will be motorists who cut off another vehicle.
Motorists who have no intention of street racing could still be snared in the same trap if they aren't paying attention to their speed as they come off the highway.
"If a motorist is coming off the 400-series highway at 100 kilometres an hour and hits an 80-zone and then goes through a small town with a 50-zone, they will be 50 over the limit and will get their car impounded," Woolley said.
Also falling under the law will be motorists who cut off another vehicle.
Motorists who have no intention of street racing could still be snared in the same trap if they aren't paying attention to their speed as they come off the highway.
"If a motorist is coming off the 400-series highway at 100 kilometres an hour and hits an 80-zone and then goes through a small town with a 50-zone, they will be 50 over the limit and will get their car impounded," Woolley said.
The upcoming Thanksgiving Day weekend will be a key barometer on how the new law will work, Woolley said."We're serious about this law and we consider this fair warning."
It goes without saying that I am not a big fan of this new law. There are days when I am doing 140 kms on the 401 and I seem to be the slowest guy on the road, (granted it is very rare that I am the slowest on the road). But as far as I am concerned, there is a very big difference between driving fast and reckless endangerment. Before the new law went into effect, if I drove over the posted speed limit I knew the consequences for being caught and fully accepted them. Not so much anymore. Is this going to change the way I drive? You bet your ass it will! But I guarantee you this will not solve the problem and the carnage on the roads will continue...
info. courtesy of http://www.thestar.com
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